5 recent CMS pharmacy policy changes

In the last month, CMS has announced several policy changes related to drug costs, COVID-19 and more that affect pharmacy operations.

5 recent changes:

1. CMS caps out-of-pocket insulin costs for Medicare
   CMS is limiting out-of-pocket insulin costs for Medicare beneficiaries to $35 per month.
   
   
2. CMS proposes payment boost for CAR-T therapies
   CMS proposed a payment increase for hospitals administering CAR-T therapy treatments in response to criticism that CAR-T costs aren't sustainable for hospitals.
   
   
3. CMS allows pharmacies to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests
   CMS implemented a temporary policy that allows pharmacies to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests, a move that could increase the number of pharmacies able to offer diagnostic testing.
   
   
4. New CMS rule could raise out-of-pocket drug costs
   CMS announced a rule going into effect in July that likely will raise out-of-pocket drug costs for many consumers.
   
   
5. CMS cleared to survey 340B hospitals on their drug acquisition costs
   CMS received final approval to conduct a survey to collect drug acquisition costs for hospitals in the 340B drug-pricing program, a survey hospitals in the program have strongly opposed.