NHIA Expresses Concern Over Blues Home Infusion Policy
NHIA sent a letter to each of the HCSC Blues plans expressing serious concern over a change in policy (Home Infusion Policy CPCP019) that would limit per diem billing to days when a nurse is physically present in the home. The association cautioned that such a change is equivalent to eliminating coverage for home infusion for most therapies. “If you move forward with this change, you should expect that few patients will continue to access home infusion, particularly for IV anti-infectives, parenteral and enteral services, pain therapies, and other daily administered treatments,” said the letter, which urged payors to rescind the new language and suggested revisions to the policy statement. Read the letter.
Participate in NHIA’s Member Survey
NHIA is updating its 3-year strategic plan and therefore conducting a survey of all members to solicit feedback about current programs and services and gain insights into member priorities. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete a survey to assist our team in assessing how we are doing and how best to allocate our resources to meet your needs. Individual responses are confidential and will support the strategic planning process. Take the survey.
HHS, Labor, and Treasury Issue RFI on Drug Price Transparency
The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury issued a request for information (RFI) on how to improve prescription drug price transparency – specifically regarding implementation of the prescription drug machine-readable file disclosure requirements under previous final rules on transparency in coverage. The RFI notes that enforcement of the provisions of the final rule related to prescription drug expenditures previously was deferred, and that the Departments now seek input on how to implement or amend those disclosure requirements. The RFI will have a 30-day comment period, following publication in the Federal Register. Read the announcement.
HHS Posts Notice of Intention to Modify FDA REMS
HHS posted a notice on the FDA’s website that it intends to modify or remove information on its Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) website. HHS anticipates making the changes after a 2-week period has passed. Read the announcement.
FDA to Change Drug Importation Process
The FDA announced changes to the process that allows for importing prescription drugs from Canada. The agency will offer states the chance to submit a draft importation proposal and meet with agency staff to obtain feedback prior to formally submitting an importation proposal. The FDA stated that it also will develop a “user-friendly tool” to help states develop their importation proposals, and that it plans to assist states with cost savings analysis required under the statute. The FDA plans to meet this fall with states that have expressed interest in importation programs. Read the announcement.