HHS & CMS Guidance Released for Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on February 9, 2023 how the Department will implement the novel Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance detailing the requirements and procedures for the program. The newly released guidance comes as the Inflation Reduction Act continues to be implemented, with one of its goals being to decrease out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and improve the general stability of the Medicare program.
Below is a timeline for future 2023 milestones in the implementation of the rebate program:
February 9, 2023 – CMS issues initial guidance with a 30-day comment period on key topics to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program.
March 11, 2023 – The 30-day comment period on key topics to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program closes.
April 1, 2023 – Beginning on this date, people with Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage may pay a lower coinsurance for certain Part B drugs if the drug’s price increased faster than the rate of inflation in a benchmark quarter.
Q4 2023 – CMS expects to issue revised guidance to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program. Timing may be adjusted as necessary.
Additional Resources:
HHS 2/9/23 Announcement: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/02/09/hhs-releases-initial-guidance-for-medicare-prescription-drug-inflation-rebate-program.html
Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program guidance fact sheet: https://www.cms.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/Inflation%20Rebate%20Fact%20Sheet%202.9.23.pdf
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