Hospitals will have until Nov. 21 to complete the recertification process through the new Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System.

The harmful payment reduction was included in the 2018 Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, expected to be finalized this fall.

The most recent delay to July 2018 comes after the Health Resources and Services Administration issued a proposed rule seeking feedback from stakeholders.

Providers can register a new entity or contract pharmacy through the 340B Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System through Oct. 16.

The component enables manufacturers and covered entities to register for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, participate in annual recertification, and communicate with the Office of Pharmacy Affairs on pending tasks.

A push is underway on Capitol Hill to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts and withdraw proposed 340B policy. Please urge your member of Congress to sign both letters.

Unless another delay is secured, Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments will be cut by $2 billion beginning in fiscal year 2018, escalating to $8 billion by 2024.

The meeting came a day after the association submitted comments to the agency in response to the proposed annual update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System.

Congress aims to pass legislation by Sept. 30 to stabilize the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance markets and reauthorize several health care programs; three senators plan to unveil new ACA repeal legislation.

The Sept. 13 webinar for covered entities will focus on the registration component of the new Office of Pharmacy Affairs Information System.

By cutting reimbursement rates for Part B drugs to 340B hospitals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would harm essential hospitals, which care for the nation’s poorest, most complex, and costliest patients.

The Health Resources and Services Administration is seeking comments on whether to further delay implementation of a final rule on ceiling prices and civil monetary penalties in the 340B Drug Pricing Program by nine months.

The system will be unavailable from Aug. 15 until mid-September; hospitals are urged to verify contact information for authorizing officials and primary contacts in the system before Aug. 14.

The delay allows for implementation of a new online tool that will allow providers to register and recertify 340B sites and contract pharmacies.

Proposed rules would affect outpatient payment rates, reduce Medicare Part B payments to hospitals in the 340B Program, and revise site-neutral policies.

The proposed rule would increase outpatient payment rates by 1.75 percent and drastically reduce Medicare Part B reimbursement for drugs purchased through the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

A group of Republican and Democratic governors sent a letter to Senate leadership encouraging a bipartisan approach to repealing the Affordable Care Act.

The committee’s intentions remain unclear; we recommend essential hospitals prepare to publicly describe what auditors found and corrective actions taken.

The final rule on drug ceiling prices and manufacturer civil monetary penalties under the 340B Drug Pricing Program now will go into effect on Oct. 1.

HRSA has delayed until March 21 the effective date of a final rule on drug ceiling prices and manufacturer civil monetary penalties in the 340B program.

The Feb. 7 letter offers recommendations on proposed executive orders, regulations, and legislation that could affect essential hospitals, patients.

A memo instructs all executive departments and agencies to temporarily halt pending regulations until incoming department or agency heads can review them.

The regulation makes "penny pricing" final and sets fines of up to $5,000 per instance of a manufacturer overcharging providers for covered medications in the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

Under the rule, CMS would increase the OPPS payment rate by 1.65 percent and provide flexibility in the meaningful use of EHRs, among other things.

CMS provides more flexibility than previously proposed, ensuring non-grandfathered, off-campus hospital outpatient departments will be reimbursed in 2017.

Hospitals eligible for the essential community providers list are participants in the 340B and DSH programs, critical access hospitals, and others.

Hospitals must complete recertification of their compliance with all requirements of the 340B program. Failure to do so results in removal from the program.

HRSA is proposing that a decision-making body within the Department of Health and Human Services be responsible for reviewing claims and resolving deputes.

This week, the Senate votes on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Last week, the House passed a mental health bill in a bipartisan vote.

The proposed rule would implement Section 603 of the Bipartisan Budget Act, which reduced payments for new, off-campus hospital outpatient departments.

The event, from 1 - 2 pm ET, will include important information on the annual recertification process and best practices.

Senate appropriators pass HHS spending bill that includes 340B Drug Pricing Program user fee and instructions to HRSA to consider stakeholder input in final mega-guidance.

The decision follows the pharmaceutical company's recent recalculation of 340B ceiling prices for 25 products for the third quarter of 2012 through the second quarter of 2013.

In new Modern Healthcare commentary, America's Essential Hospitals president and CEO says proposed guidance conflicts with HHS goals for readmissions, access, and care coordination.

A 2015 budget law that creates site-neutral payment for off-campus hospital outpatient departments does not directly affect 340B Drug Pricing Program eligibility, but changes to how hospitals report Medicare costs does raise concerns.

Final rule and implementation as described in the guidance could significantly reduce Medicaid payments for 340B-covered outpatient drugs in some states.

Webcasts, co-hosted by HRSA OPA and pharmacist association, will focus on helping covered entities identify steps needed to develop and maintain comprehensive 340B policies and procedures in an auditable manner.

Covered entities are no longer required to post a public letter to the HRSA website if 340B audit findings result in potential repayment. Instead, HRSA will publish notices with covered entity contact information.

Agency seeks comment on its proposal to collect information on the burden associated with guidelines for manufacturer audits of covered entities; comments are due to HRSA by Feb. 22.

Member leaders attend more than 100 meetings with lawmakers and congressional staff as part of fall Policy Assembly. Event also included insights from policymakers and a Capitol Hill reception honoring 2015 Gage Award recipients.

In comments to HRSA, the association says the proposal would harm care for the vulnerable by restricting the definition of a patient, adding requirements for hospital outpatient facility eligibility, and narrowing which drugs qualify for discounts.

U.S. District Court says 2014 HRSA interpretive rule is contrary to plain language of ACA provision that excludes certain hospitals from 340B discounts on orphan drugs.

Webinars help identify roles, responsibilities, and other elements of 340B risk management. OPA and APhA also accepting leading practice site applications.

Zydus Pharmaceuticals Inc., charged incorrect rates on 340B drugs between January 2012 and December 2014. Refunds will be distributed via Apexus.