- Medicare Part D and Hospice Drug Coverage
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued guidance for Medicare-certified hospices and Part D plan sponsors to establish a procedure to limit instances in which Part D plans inappropriately cover prescription medications related to a hospice beneficiary’s terminal condition. VNAA has been very active in response to this issue which creates confusion and delays in obtaining necessary medications for hospice beneficiaries. VNAA has met with CMS officials and also with Congressional staff in conjunction with a multi-stakeholder coalition of hospice organizations, Part D sponsors, pharmacists and consumer advocates. VNAA is closely aligned with these stakeholders in calling for a reversal of the new CMS policy on Part D coverage determinations for hospice beneficiaries.
- FY2015 Payment Rule ‘s Payment Model Reform