Industry Trade Groups Sound Off About Proposed DIR Overhaul

The main health insurer and PBM trade groups are not fans of CMS’s proposal to reform the direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) system in Medicare Part D, judging by their recently submitted comment letters and interpretation of a recently published actuarial analysis.

The policy in question is part of the 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D proposed rule, which CMS issued in January. Among a slew of other provisions, the agency is seeking to require part D plan sponsors to apply all price concessions that they receive from network pharmacies at the point of sale. Smaller pharmacies have long complained that the current system — in which Part D plan sponsors can recoup price concessions (i.e., DIR) from pharmacies for dispensed drugs if the pharmacies do not meet certain metrics — makes it difficult if not impossible to do business.

© 2023 MMIT
Leslie Small

Leslie Small

Leslie has been reporting and editing in various journalism roles for nearly a decade. Most recently, she was the senior editor of FierceHealthPayer, an e-newsletter covering the health insurance industry. A graduate of Penn State University, she previously served in editing roles at newspapers in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Colorado.

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