Tag: National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
CVS challenges FAIR Rx Act
June 1, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Soon after Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law the FAIR Rx Act, which prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies, CVS filed a challenge, according to news reports. The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) noted that CVS, Express Scripts, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) and others have also filed a lawsuit challenging a similar law passed in Arkansas. The NCPA joined the Arkansas Pharmacists Association...
NCPA celebrates PBM bill passing in Tennessee
May 26, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) applauds Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee for signing the Freedom, Access and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act (Senate Bill 2040/House Bill 1959) into law, making the state the second to pass legislation prohibiting pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies. The NCPA supported the Tennessee Pharmacists Association’s leadership on the FAIR Rx Act as it moved through the legislative process....
NCPA, NGA join new coalition to support small businesses
May 18, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) joined the newly-formed Main Street Competition Coalition at a kick-off event in Washington, D.C., to rally small business organizations across the spectrum against big corporations that they say use their market dominance to squeeze out smaller competitors. The Main Street Competition Coalition is a nonpartisan coalition of independent businesses fighting to restore competitive...
NCPA supports re-introduction of Monopolies Act
May 18, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) supports the re-introduction of the Patients Before Monopolies Act, which would force companies that own health insurers or pharmacy benefit managers to divest their pharmacy businesses within three years. The act, first introduced in December 2024, has been reintroduced in both the House and Senate. “PBMs have a choice – operate as a PBM or operate as a pharmacy, but you can’t have it both ways,”...
In brief: Coral ‘getting started,’ Access Infusion expanding, Medline piloting automation
April 22, 2026HME News Staff
NEW YORK – Coral, a health care automation platform built for durable medical equipment (DME) and other specialty providers, has announced a $12.5 million investment led by Lightspeed and Z47 to grow its team and enhance its products.
The platform connects to existing EHR systems, fax lines and payer portals and automates end-to-end administrative workflows.
“Every person in the health care system is being slowed down by the same thing: administrative work that was never built to...
NCPA hits Hill, asking lawmakers to address PBM practices in gov’t programs
April 20, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Independent pharmacists visited nearly 300 offices for meetings with lawmakers and their staff during the National Community Pharmacist Association’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In on April 15-16. Their message: We appreciate the reforms to Medicare Part D contract terms that Congress passed earlier this year, and now we would urge them to address pharmacy benefit manager practices in government programs like Medicaid, Tricare, and the Federal Employee Health Benefit...
In brief: CMS ups MA payments, Sleep Cycle sees interest, Soleo Health expands
April 10, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has set a net average increase of 2.48% for Medicare Advantage plans in calendar year 2027, representing more than $13 billion in additional payments.
Earlier this year, CMS had proposed a net average increase of 0.09%, representing $700 million in additional payments.
CMS touts improved payment accuracy
In a new rate announcement, the agency says this expected increase includes consideration of the various elements that...
NCPA debuts media studio, ramps up podcast
April 9, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has announced the grand opening of its first-ever media studio at its headquarters in Alexandria, Va. “This studio will allow us to meet our members where they are; that's what NCPA is all about,” said NCPA CEO Douglas Hoey. “NCPA members consume media in a variety of ways, and the studio allows us to produce content specific to the varied interests of NCPA membership.” One big benefactor of...
In brief: CMS puts Elevance Health on notice, Trace names Mark Farmer president, Next Day Access marks triple-digit growth
March 3, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will suspend Elevance Health’s ability to enroll people in its Medicare Advantage plans if the insurer doesn’t comply with risk adjustment data submission requirements.
In a Feb. 27 letter to Elevance, CMS said sanctions would begin March 31 for Elevance’s “pattern of knowing noncompliance.”
In its letter, CMS states: Since...
NCPA launches national ad campaign aimed at corporate pharmacies
March 2, 2026HME News Staff
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) today launched a nationwide ad campaign aimed at consumers looking for a better experience than the one they’re getting from big-box stores or mail-order outfits. The multi-million-dollar, multi-year campaign will air across national television over the next two weeks, including on CNN, Fox News, HGTV, TBS and TLC, and then move to local cable, streaming TV, social media and...