Part D Premiums ‘Won’t Go Up’ With HHS Rebate Proposal, Azar Maintains

Wide-ranging executive order to lower drug prices also hints at changes in upcoming guidance on the Medicare price negotiation program but few other potentially impactful near-term actions.

Coverage data from the two programs suggest Medicare beneficiaries may be more disappointed than Medicaid enrollees by the Trump Administration’s decision not to mandate the programs cover obesity drugs.

Jonathan Blum, who was principal deputy administrator during the Biden Administration, explained the agency’s approach to setting up the price negotiation program and said changes likely will be implemented by the Trump Administration.

As CMS administrator, Mehmet Oz will oversee the second cycle of Medicare drug price negotiations and Part D redesign issues, but will have experienced deputies to help.