Calls for Changes to Medicare Reimbursements to Pharmacies
Press Release
Calls for Changes to Medicare Reimbursements to Pharmacies
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today joined the National Community Pharmacy Association in supporting key legislation designed to help pharmacies with Medicare reimbursement issues.
Since December of 2005 some rural Arkansas pharmacies have had to close because of the high cost of prescription drugs versus the Medicare reimbursement rates and the timing of those reimbursements.
Boozman is cosponsor of three pieces of legislation that will ease the problems associated with Medicare reimbursements.
"Pharmacies have experienced troubles with the amount Medicare reimburses for medications and the timing in which they are reimbursed. These bills are steps to help ease the burdens that pharmacies are experiencing," Boozman said.
H.R. 1474 "Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007" requires the sponsor of a prescription drug plan or an organization offering a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) program plan to promptly pay claims submitted under part D and to prohibit the inclusion of certain identifying information of pharmacies on explanatory prescription drug information and cards distributed by prescription drug plan sponsors.
H.R. 3140 "Saving Our Community Pharmacies Act of 2007" ensures and fosters continued beneficiary access to generic drugs under the Medicaid Program by setting pharmacy reimbursement based on retail acquisition cost and to promote the use of generic drugs.
H.R. 971 "Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007" ensures and fosters continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers.
"The stories of struggling pharmacies can be heard all across America. We need to take action and pass these pieces of legislation to bring relief to this vital component in the community," Boozman said. "We want to fix the problem before more pharmacies are in financial trouble and forced to close their doors."
Source