[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":915,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"The Trump administration on Thursday finalized a rule designed to increase transparency around prescription drug costs by requiring Medicare Part D plans to provide electronic access to the data.

The final rule<\/a> from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires Part D plans\u2014after an implementation period\u2014to provide access to a Real Time Benefit Tool to be integrated into clinicians\u2019 electronic prescribing or electronic health records systems.

The tool, which must be capable of integrating with at least one prescriber\u2019s e-prescribing system or EHR no later than Jan. 1, 2021, must also have the capability to inform prescribers when lower-cost alternative therapies are available under the beneficiary\u2019s prescription drug benefit.

\u201cUnder President Trump\u2019s leadership, CMS is delivering on price transparency, because patients have a right to know the cost of their healthcare services before they receive them,\u201d said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a written statement.

\u201cToday\u2019s rule requires Part D plans to adopt tools that provide clinicians with information that they can discuss with patients on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at the time a prescription is written,\u201d Verma added. \u201cBy empowering patients with information on the cost of their prescription drugs, today\u2019s rule will ensure that pharmaceutical companies have to compete on the basis of price. This effort builds on new requirements for hospitals to disclose chargemaster prices and other agency initiatives to promote price transparency.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Rule on Medicare Advantage, Part D reduces provider burden<\/a>

While CMS said in its announcement Thursday that the agency is \u201cencouraged\u201d that some Part D plans currently offer these electronic tools, the new policy will require all plans to provide clinicians with access to price information for different prescription drugs via the Real Time Benefit Tools.

\u201cGetting more information on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs to patients and their clinicians early in the process is critical, as there should be no surprises at the pharmacy counter,\u201d states the announcement.

A CMS fact sheet on the final rule is available here<\/a>.","saveContent":"The Trump administration on Thursday finalized a rule designed to increase transparency around prescription drug costs by requiring Medicare Part D plans to provide electronic access to the data.

The final rule<\/a> from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requires Part D plans\u2014after an implementation period\u2014to provide access to a Real Time Benefit Tool to be integrated into clinicians\u2019 electronic prescribing or electronic health records systems.

The tool, which must be capable of integrating with at least one prescriber\u2019s e-prescribing system or EHR no later than Jan. 1, 2021, must also have the capability to inform prescribers when lower-cost alternative therapies are available under the beneficiary\u2019s prescription drug benefit.

\u201cUnder President Trump\u2019s leadership, CMS is delivering on price transparency, because patients have a right to know the cost of their healthcare services before they receive them,\u201d said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a written statement.

\u201cToday\u2019s rule requires Part D plans to adopt tools that provide clinicians with information that they can discuss with patients on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at the time a prescription is written,\u201d Verma added. \u201cBy empowering patients with information on the cost of their prescription drugs, today\u2019s rule will ensure that pharmaceutical companies have to compete on the basis of price. This effort builds on new requirements for hospitals to disclose chargemaster prices and other agency initiatives to promote price transparency.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: Rule on Medicare Advantage, Part D reduces provider burden<\/a>

While CMS said in its announcement Thursday that the agency is \u201cencouraged\u201d that some Part D plans currently offer these electronic tools, the new policy will require all plans to provide clinicians with access to price information for different prescription drugs via the Real Time Benefit Tools.

\u201cGetting more information on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs to patients and their clinicians early in the process is critical, as there should be no surprises at the pharmacy counter,\u201d states the announcement.

A CMS fact sheet on the final rule is available here<\/a>.","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

Medicare Part D final rule includes EHR, e-prescribing requirement

More for you