Medicare Dialysis Bundle And New Drugs: Will Transitional Payments Work For Korsuva, Vadadustat?

Quick provider uptake will be key for upcoming new drugs covered by the Medicare end stage renal disease prospective payment system.

Medicare Balancing Need For Innovation With Cost Control • Source: Alamy

Medicare’s approach to reimbursing new drugs for dialysis patients in the end-stage renal disease bundled payment system may be applied to two new first-in-class drugs in 2022, and stakeholders will be watching to see how uptake among dialysis providers responds.

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Calley Means defended reductions in force at the Health and Human Services Department that shocked and outraged federal workers and stakeholders.

Newest HHS Staff Cuts Could Stymie CMS Health Plan Oversight

 
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A former CMS manager worries casework and other necessary functions could suffer as a result of the 300 staff cuts at the agency that are part of a massive HHS restructuring.

Power Play: US FDA Likely Losing More Than Just Staff With Restructured Health Department

 

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CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
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Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

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CMS Nominee Oz Nears Confirmation Despite Concerns About Medicaid Cuts

 
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Democrats opposed the nomination because they believe Mehmet Oz will not defend Medicaid from spending cuts. His pledge to continue lowering drug costs in Medicare and Medicaid did not offset the concerns.

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An analysis of Medicare Part D and other data found that more than one-third of all pharmacy spending went through pharmacies owned by Cigna, CVS Health, Humana or UnitedHealth Group.

Branded Pharma And Generics Industries At Odds Over UK VPAG Framework

 

The UK branded drug industry is calling for adjustments to be made to the UK voluntary scheme framework for branded medicines, after the payment rate increased to 22.9% for 2025. Meanwhile, the generics industry says the scheme is functioning “as intended” and opposes any changes.