Medicare should continue to pay average sales price plus 6% for most separately payable Part B drugs, but cap ASP inflation, AHA told the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in comments submitted today. 

At its January meeting, MedPAC discussed modifying the ASP add-on payment to the lesser of 6%, 3% plus $24, or $220 per drug per day; and using reference pricing to address high prices and price growth for new and existing drugs with therapeutic alternatives. AHA expressed concern that both proposals would shift responsibility for rapid growth in drug prices from drug makers to hospitals and patients.

Among other comments, AHA recommended Medicare permanently extend certain telehealth flexibilities used to expand access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic and reconsider certain other policy options that run contrary to what these permanent extensions would accomplish.
 

Related News Articles

Chairperson's File
Public
Rural hospitals and health systems face big challenges, but together — with a unified voice — we can work to ensure people living in rural communities get the…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services March 27 announced a series of actions as part of a department-wide restructuring. The department said the moves…
Headline
The Senate Finance Committee March 14 held a confirmation hearing on Mehmet Oz's nomination for administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
Headline
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission March 13 released its March report to Congress that includes recommendations for hospital and other Medicare payment…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services March 12 announced that it will end four payment models early, terminating each by the end of 2025. The models…
Headline
The AHA March 11 shared ways Congress could better support patient access to post-acute care in comments for a hearing held by the House Committee on Ways and…