There are changes and clarifications to definitions that are needed in the 340B program, but that won't likely happen anytime soon in this Congress. In the meantime, various stakeholders should take the time to educate one another on what the program means to them, said Neil Minkoff, MD, chief medical officer of EmpiraMed.
There are changes and clarifications to definitions that are needed in the 340B program, but that won't likely happen anytime soon in this Congress. In the meantime, various stakeholders should take the time to educate one another on what the program means to them, said Neil Minkoff, MD, chief medical officer of EmpiraMed.
Transcript
What future changes do you expect to see for the 340B program?
In the next 18 months? Very little, if any. I mean I think that Congress is so overwhelmed right now with the Affordable Care Act, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), what's going to replace the AHCA that a prorgam like this is kind of being pushed aside. Now there was supposed to be new rules for 340B in Q1 of 2017, but as part of the new administration trying to reduce the number of rules and regulations that change is on hold. So HHS will eventually get back to it, but God only knows when that's going to happen to provide some of those clearer definitions.
Also, if Congress acts to change the way people are getting paid in healthcare or to make significant changes to the ACA, changing that and 340B pricing at the same time might just be too much. I might have to be more of a phased approach.
How does the 340B program mean different things to different stakeholders?
I think that 340B pricing is one of those situations where the different stakeholders really need to start educating each other. So the hospitals need to make it clear to the payers what the benefit is to the hospital and their patients and indigent care, and so on. The payers need to have a clearer understanding with their pharmacies and the manufacturers of how it affects them. And the manufacturers need to educate the payers about the potential for double discount and what is means to them.
So I think we're at a point now where the plans are kind of waking up to 340B, which has been a big reality for the providers and for the manufacturers for a long time. And so we're still in a period of a lot of education.
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Dr Michael Farwell on FDG PET/CT Imaging to Predict Immunotherapy Response in Advanced Melanoma
April 15th 2024Michael Farwell, MD, associate professor of radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, provides insights into a study on the benefits of using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging to detect metabolic tumor changes in skin cancer.
Read More
Making Giant Strides in Maternity Health Through Baby Steps
April 9th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are kicking off a special month-long podcast series with our strategic alliance partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our first episode, which is all about the Baby Steps Maternity Program and its mission to support women throughout every step of their pregnancy journey.
Listen
Increasing Lp(a) Awareness for Better Cardiovascular Health: Dr Mary McGowan
March 24th 2024For Lp(a) Awareness Day, Mary McGowan, MD, FNLA, chief medical officer of the Family Heart Foundation, highlights how most people with elevated Lp(a) are completely unaware that they have this increased risk and calls for increased testing.
Read More
Dr Al Benson on Reimbursement for Supportive Care When Treating Patients With Cancer
March 22nd 2024Al Benson, MD, FACP, FACCC, FASCO, medical oncologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and associate director of the Robert E. Tillery Comprehensive Cancer Center, discussed findings from a national survey assessing barriers to comprehensive cancer care delivery.
Read More