Coverage and Payment
Coverage and reimbursement shapes patient access and affordability. Life sciences companies rely on favorable coverage decisions to ensure market access and adoption of their products, while health plans need effective reimbursement strategies to manage costs and provide comprehensive benefits to their members.
SCOTUS Decision to Review ACA Case Could Undermine Coverage and Access
On March 2, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) announced that it will review an appeal of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision in Texas v. Azar regarding the legality of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) individual mandate and other provisions.
2020 Election: Healthcare Coverage Landscape Varies in Super Tuesday States
Ahead of the Super Tuesday primaries on March 3, healthcare remains a top issue among voters. According to January 2020 polling from Bipartisan Policy Center, 56% of individuals ranked healthcare as one of their top 3 issues when determining how to vote in the upcoming election, above the economy (44%), immigration (33%), taxes (31%), gun control (30%), and environmental policy (23%).
The Administration Provides Employers and Employees with Enhanced Flexibility in Connection with Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Final rule by the Treasury Department, Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services reverses previous Treasury Department guidance blocking tax-advantaged HRAs that were not integrated with a comprehensive employer-sponsored plan.
Is Tiered Provider Reimbursement on the Horizon for Medicare Part B?
As policymakers explore opportunities to reform Medicare Part B, a tiered average sales price (ASP) add-on payment may be under consideration to align system incentives and curb spending.
Medicare Reimbursement of Virtual Care Delivery and Remote Monitoring
Beginning in 2019, CMS will reimburse for 5 codes relating to virtual care delivery and remote monitoring
Medicare Part B Payment Increases Will Offset 340B Drug Reimbursement Cuts for 85% of Hospitals
Rural hospitals will see an average 2.7% net increase of Part B payments.
New Analysis Identifies Factors That Can Facilitate Broader Reimbursement of Pharmacist Services
Pharmacists are increasingly providing direct patient care based on each state's scope of practice regulations in a variety of settings spanning inpatient, outpatient, and community pharmacies. Examples of these direct patient care services include immunizations, wellness and prevention screening, medication management, chronic condition management, and patient education and counseling. While opportunities for pharmacists to provide direct patient care services emerge, options for obtaining reimbursement for these services continue to be limited. Avalere Health assessed the current healthcare delivery and payment landscape to identify factors that can facilitate broader reimbursement of pharmacist services.