MEDICARE, MEDICAID REGULATIONS IMPACT PHARMACIES, TESTING NACDS

Dennis Wiesner, senior director of privacy, regulatory, government and industry affairs and pharmacy managed care at H-E-B Grocery, recently testified on behalf of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). He testified May 14 on key Medicare and Medicaid regulations before the US House Committee on Small Business, Subcommitee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade.

At the panel's hearing "The Impact of CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Regulations and Programs on Small Healthcare Providers," Wiesner discussed several items of major concern to smaller NACDS members:

• Medicaid: Because of looming cuts, Medicaid reimbursements will fail to cover pharmacies' costs and could threaten patient access to medications
• Medicare Part D: CMS regulations effectively limit the ability of pharmacies to provide 90-day supplies of medications to Part D beneficiaries
• Medicare Part B: New program requirements and competitive bidding will impose considerable administrative and financial burdens on pharmacies that provide durable medical equipment. These regulations are likely to reduce the number of available providers and impact seniors' access to vital medical supplies.