CMS Proposes to Test New Medicare Part B Prescription Drug Models

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a “proposed rule to test new models to improve how Medicare Part B pays for prescription drugs and supports physicians and other clinicians in delivering higher quality care,” according to a recent press release.

Medicare Part B covers prescription drugs like those administered in eye care treatments. The proposed Medicare Part B Model would “test new ways to support physicians and other clinicians as they choose the drug that is right for their patients.”

The proposed rule is designed to test two things:

• To encourage the prescribing of the most effective drugs.
• To test new payment approaches to reward positive patient outcomes.

Here are some useful resources related to the proposed rule and other items:

• A fact sheet with more information about the proposed rule is available at: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-03-08.html.
• A fact sheet with more information about what Medicare beneficiaries need to know about the proposed model is available at: https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2016-Fact-sheets-items/2016-03-08-02.html?DLPage=2&DLEntries=10&DLSort=0&DLSortDir=descending.
• The proposed rule will be open to a 60-day comment period. CMS is accepting comment on the proposed rule through May 9, 2016. The proposed rule is available for viewing at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection.
• Additional information on the proposed rule is available at: https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/part-b-drugs.
• To learn more about Medicare Part B Drugs: Pricing and Incentives visit: https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/medicare-part-b-drugs-pricing-and-incentives.
• To read an issue brief on Observation Trends in Prescription Drug Spending visit: https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/observations-trends-prescription-drug-spending.