Healthcare News: CMS scuttles controversial proposed Part B drug payment model

Why This Topic Matters

Changes to Medicare drug payment policy can affect reimbursement, physician and hospital outpatient operations, and planning for specialties that depend on costly drugs. Readers who monitor CMS and Medicare payment developments will want to understand the policy direction and the broader context around prescription drug cost control.

Article Sections

1. CMS decision on the proposed Part B drug payment model

   Summarizes the agency’s announcement that the proposed model would not proceed and places it in the context of CMS payment policy activity.

2. Background and rationale for the proposal

   Reviews the policy motivation behind the model and the stakeholder concerns that were raised during the proposal period.

3. Proposed testing phases

   Outlines the general structure of the two testing phases and the types of payment and purchasing concepts that were under consideration.

4. Medicare Part B spending context

   Provides the article’s reported spending trend context for separately paid drugs in hospital outpatient settings.