On July 13, in its 2018 hospital outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed to dramatically cut Medicare reimbursements for 340B drugs. Specifically, the rule proposes to pay for separately payable, non pass-through drugs (other than vaccines) purchased through the 340B program at the average sales price (ASP) minus 22.5 percent, rather than the current rate of ASP plus 6 percent. CMS estimates that this proposal would reduce Part B drug payments for 340B drugs by as much as $900 million.
SDAHO and AHA urge hospitals affected by CMS’s proposal to submit comments to the agency. Comments are due to CMS by September 11 at 5 p.m. ET. The letter should refer to file-code CMS-1678-P. To submit electronically, go to www.regulations.gov, and follow instructions under the tab “submit a comment.” AHA has provided a model comment letter to assist members.
