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Part D Contracting in the Six Protected Classes

 
• By Ramsey Baghdadi

The six protected classes represented one of the most talked about provisions in the Medicare Part D program. A year after the Part D kickoff, the classes are still around, but there could be some tweaks going forward.

One of the most talked about and lobbied-for provisions of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit was the creation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of six "protected" classes. Under the program, plan sponsors must cover "all or substantially all" drugs in six categories: antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiretrovirals, immunosuppressants, anticonvulsants and antineoplastics.

The designation was an undeniable boon for drug manufacturers. For example, if you were Eli Lilly & Co. (Zyprexa)...

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