Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
Work to Begin on Part D Overhaul
Key point: MedPAC will begin work on overhauling Medicare Part D to replace the coverage gap discount with a manufacturer “cap discount” and restructure the catastrophic benefit.
Major takeaway: MedPAC Commission members, after hearing about a pair of options related to affordability of specialty drugs and biologics, instructed staff to pursue the option that would essentially amount to an overhaul of Medicare Part D.
Expert analysis: While speaking favorably about the concept of redesign, MedPAC member Kathy Buto, former vice president of global health policy at Johnson & Johnson, noted that it might be a tough sell.
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission meeting on April 5 in Washington.