Pharmacy
Physicians are under increasing pressure to discuss costs with patients when they write prescriptions, yet relatively few do so.
The International Pricing Index model would reset Medicare payments for physician-administered drugs.
Superintendent Maria Vullo wants guardrails to ensure promised synergies result in cost savings for consumers.
Drug samples were the most common benefits, with 55 percent of doctors reporting having received them.
Any such requirement would raise significant legal issues, including First Amendment concerns, PhRMA says.
Whether consumers will benefit from clout, data, lower pricing or not is up for debate.
Aetna's divestiture of Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to WellCare would fully resolve DOJ concerns.
Insurer's pharmacy benefits business OptumRx will take over Genoa, which specializes in behavioral health and addiction treatment.
The Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act and the Know the Lowest Price Act are expected to get President Trump's signature.
Hospitals and health systems should adopt better strategies to ensure physicians and nurses don't shift pills to the black market.