On January 12, URAC submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule for Medicare Advantage for 2019. As part of the proposed rule, CMS requests feedback regarding the role that accreditation, namely accreditation of specialty pharmacies, plays in Part D. CMS noted anecdotal concerns that have been reported regarding the potential limiting nature of Part D contracts that require pharmacies to maintain Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation.
Aaron Turner-Phifer, Vice President of Government Relations and Policy
Recent Posts
Will Medicare Choose to Lead on Pharmacy Quality?
Topics:
Government Updates
Specialty Pharmacy
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CMS’ Proposed Rule for MACRA 2018: Six Changes You Need to Know
CMS continues to ease administrative burdens for physicians as the “slow ramp-up” of the Quality Payment Program continues in 2018, according to the agency’s proposed rule for MACRA’s 2018 Quality Payment Program.
Topics:
Government Updates
Value-Based Care
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VA Program to Provide Quality Care to Veterans in Their Communities
It is no secret that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has faced tremendous challenges providing our nation’s veterans with access to the timely, quality care they deserve.
Maybe the Sky Isn’t Falling: It’s Not All Doom and Gloom for the American Healthcare System
The American healthcare system is in a state of uncertainty. And it is failing patients.
At least that’s the assessment I’ve frequently come across over the past few weeks. Roiling politics and the resulting policies seem to be the root of this uncertainty. Be it the changes ushered in by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the looming changes brought by the election of Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, it seems that healthcare will be in a state of flux and disarray for the foreseeable future.
Topics:
Government Updates
Value-Based Care
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Open Enrollment Season Doesn’t Have to Mean Confusion for Consumers
“Only two things in life are certain – death and taxes.” I had a high school teacher who liked to pull out this famous quote from Benjamin Franklin every time he got an unanswerable question from some wisenheimer.
As I sat last week poring over hundreds of pages of health plan brochures trying to sort out the best option for my family, I’m reminded of this quote and can’t help but wonder if there is a third certainty in life that Mr. Franklin missed – health insurance is about as clear as dishwater.
All Eyes On Vermont – At Least They Should Be
They say that “states are the laboratories of democracy.” In no place is this more evident than the state of Vermont’s efforts to radically change their healthcare delivery system.
On October 26, CMS and Vermont’s Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) jointly announced the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model. This new, first of its kind initiative is aimed at accelerating healthcare delivery reform for the entire state and its population by establishing a statewide ACO that is responsible for the health outcomes of its entire population.
