Pharmacists Encouraged by Proposed Medicare Changes to 2015 Drug Plans
WASHINGTON, DC – National Community Pharmacists Assocation (NCPA) CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, was largely supportive of policy changes proposed by CMS for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) in 2015. “We are encouraged by CMS’ response to problems with preferred pharmacy networks,” said Hoey. “CMS’ proposal to allow any willing pharmacy to offer a plan’s lowest, or ‘preferred,’ cost-sharing should help level the playing field for community pharmacies to participate in these plans and should benefit seniors by giving them more competition and choice among pharmacies in their drug plan.”

HR 1717 – 164 Cosponsors and Counting
WASHINGTON, DC – Unlike last year, cosponsors will officially
remain attached to HR 1717, the bill to replace competitive bidding with
market pricing program. AAHomecare officials are encouraging providers
to take 10 minutes to call their representative and boost the cosponsor
count.

The Following Medtrade Spring Medicare Presentations Will be Open to All
Tue, Mar 11, 2014 – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) Update
Speakers: Elaine Hensley, Chief Liaison, Palmetto GBA – CBIC
Track: Medicare Updates

Tue, Mar 11, 2014 – 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM
DME MAC CERT Task Force: Common Errors and Documentation Insufficiency
Speakers: Michael Hanna, Provider Relations Senior Analyst, CGS – DME MAC Jurisdiction C
Track: Medicare Updates   –  CLICK HERE to register for Medtrade Spring

Jeff Baird Webinar: No Competitive Bidding Contract – Now What?
Jan 14: 2:30-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
There is an old saying: “Be careful what you ask for… you
might just get it.” Or put in another way: “The dog chasing the car has
just caught it…now what does the dog do with the car?”

On the other
hand, not being awarded a competitive bidding contract can be
frightening. The losing bidder is thrown way outside its comfort zone.
However, not being awarded a contract is not the “kiss of death”…it
might actually be a blessing in disguise.


Jeff Baird, chairman of the Health Care Group at Brown &
Fortunato will discuss proactive and concrete steps that the losing
bidder can take to remain in business, including these topics:

• selling Medicare-covered items for cash at a price less than the Medicare allowable;
• grandfathering;
• subcontracting with a winning bidder; and
• how an HME company can expand into non CBAs without having to
obtain new Medicare Part B supplier numbers, through the “hub and spoke”
model.

Click Here to register for this webinar with Jeffrey S. Baird.
Members: $129
Non-Member: $189