Tag: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)
StateServ buys pharmacy PBM
January 23, 2024HME News Staff
PHOENIX and PITTSBURGH – StateServ, a provider of DME benefit management solutions to the post-acute care market in the U.S., has acquired Delta Care Dx, a provider of integrated pharmacy benefit management, mail order prescription, sterile/non-sterile compounding and clinical pharmacist consulting to the hospice and palliative care markets, in a move that forms the industry's first scaled DME and pharmacy solution.
The companies say their unique combination forms a leading care-at-home...
NCPA backs new PBM lawsuit
December 19, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is throwing its support behind another class action lawsuit filed against UnitedHealth Group and its pharmacy benefit manager, OptumRx. The lawsuit, announced by the law firms Berger Montague PC and Cohen & Gresser LLP, claims that UnitedHealth Group and OptumRx have been assessing pharmacy DIR fees in violation of federal antitrust laws and state laws governing contracts. “After years of abuse at the hands of big insurance...
NCPA creates TRUST
October 16, 2023HME News Staff
ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Community Pharmacists Association is creating a limited liability company called TRUST LLC to investigate and, when appropriate, litigate or arbitrate on behalf of community pharmacies to recover pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees.
The NCPA believes DIR fees were assessed by the PBMs and insurance plans in violation of federal antitrust law and state contract laws.
“PBMs shouldn't be able to make assessing junk DIR fees against...
Momentum grows in PBM pushback
October 6, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A new class action lawsuit filed against Caremark is the latest move in the fight to rein in the “revenue grab” of pharmacy benefit managers, says the National Community Pharmacists Association.
The NCPA is not a named party in the lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 27, but has helped educate the law firms behind it, says Anne Cassity, senior vice president of government affairs at association.
“These (pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration...
Pharmacy groups highlight new audit on PBMs
August 22, 2023HME News Staff
WEST LINN, Ore. - The Oregon State Pharmacy Association and the National Community Pharmacists Association support the Oregon Health Authority’s recommendation that the state “should enact legislation that focuses on patient and pharmacy protections and increasing transparency in the prescription drug supply chain.” The recommendation, which was part of the state’s recent audit report on PBMs, builds on a 2022 report OSPA released in collaboration with 3 Axis Advisors that...
In brief: Enos Home Medical makes acquisition, pharmacies meet with FTC commish
July 5, 2023HME News Staff
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Enos Home Medical has expanded its footprint in northern Massachusetts and reinforced its focus on the hospice market with a recent acquisition of “significant DME assets” in the area, says Jon Enos.
The acquisition better positions Enos Home Medical to “meet current dynamic market conditions and today’s ever-changing medical landscape,” the company says.
“We are excited to be able to reach even more hospice patients in the...
NCPA applauds House passage of PATIENT Act
May 25, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The National Community Pharmacists Association welcomes the passage of the Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency (PATIENT) Act, H.R. 3561, by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The PATIENT Act, which passed the committee 49-0, includes several provisions vital to lowering prescription drug costs and bringing transparency to the practices of pharmacy benefit managers, the NCPA says. “Patients and community pharmacies have been advocating...
NCPA makes its case at the Capitol
May 3, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association hosted a congressional fly-in on April 26-27 that drew hundreds of community pharmacists from 36 states and Washington, D.C., for visits and meetings with more than 230 congressional offices. It was NCPA’s first fly-in since the COVID-19 pandemic. “One of the most important meetings for independent community pharmacists has long been NCPA’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In, and I’m thrilled it was back on...
In brief: Invacare delay, Philips recall, Rehab Medical expansion, Medicare Advantage payments
April 7, 2023HME News Staff
ELYRIA, Ohio – Invacare has filed a Form NT 10-K notifying the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that it is unable to file its annual report for the period ending Dec. 31, 2022, within the prescribed time period due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
“Due to the considerable time and resources the company’s management is devoting to the Chapter 11 cases, and the need to prepare and review the disclosures required in the Form 10-K as a result of the Chapter 11 cases,...
NCPA supports new bills
January 30, 2023HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association supports two pieces of legislation re-introduced in the Senate that seek to bring transparency to pharmacy benefit managers. Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have reintroduced:
The PBM Transparency Act (S. 127) would provide plan sponsors/employers transparency on how PBMs administer their pharmacy benefit and clarifies the Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement authority to prohibit...