Health Policy Updates

Alerts and links on late-breaking news impacting community cancer care
The US Oncology Network Applauds Texas Lawmakers for Passing Legislation to Prohibit White Bagging Mandates
May 19, 2023

The US Oncology Network Applauds Texas Lawmakers for Passing Legislation to Prohibit White Bagging Mandates

TX HB 1647 now goes to the Governor’s Desk for signature. WOODLANDS, Texas, May 17, 2023 —The US Oncology Network today commends Texas lawmakers for passing HB 1647 to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) or insurers from requiring patients with life-threatening conditions to receive their clinician-administered drugs from a PBM mail-order specialty pharmacy. Prior to…

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CMS Releases 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to MA and Part D Final Rule
April 7, 2023

CMS Releases 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to MA and Part D Final Rule

CMS issued the Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule for Contract Year 2024.

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HHS Releases Initial Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for Price Applicability Year 2026
March 15, 2023

HHS Releases Initial Guidance for Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for Price Applicability Year 2026

The Negotiation program was created by the Inflation Reduction Act and authorizes CMS to negotiate Maximum Fair Prices for certain high expenditure, single source drugs and biological products.

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White House Previews FY 2024 Budget, Includes Proposals to Expand IRA Drug Negotiation Program
March 7, 2023

White House Previews FY 2024 Budget, Includes Proposals to Expand IRA Drug Negotiation Program

On March 7, the White House released a fact sheet previewing proposals in the President’s forthcoming FY2024 budget aimed at extending the solvency of the Medicare program.

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HHS Releases Report on CMMI Models to Lower Drug Costs, Announces Selection of Three Models
February 15, 2023

HHS Releases Report on CMMI Models to Lower Drug Costs, Announces Selection of Three Models

On Tuesday, February 15th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has selected three new models for testing by the CMS Innovation Center (CMMI).

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The Network Submits Comments to CMS on Prior Authorization Reforms
February 13, 2023

The Network Submits Comments to CMS on Prior Authorization Reforms

The US Oncology Network applauded CMS for recognizing the barriers to timely access to care created by the increased use of prior authorization by Medicare Advantage plans and made several recommendations for further steps the agency could take to improve access for cancer patients.

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The US Oncology Network Welcomes the 118th Congress
January 31, 2023

The US Oncology Network Welcomes the 118th Congress

During the week of January 23, The US Oncology Network Federal Government Relations team returned to the fully re-opened House office buildings on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the 118th Congress.

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Legislation Addressing 2023 Medicare Payment Cuts Signed into Law
December 29, 2022

Legislation Addressing 2023 Medicare Payment Cuts Signed into Law

The law will fund the federal government through September 30, 2023 and mitigate scheduled Medicare payment cuts.

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CMS Issues MA and Part D Proposed Rule for 2024
December 14, 2022

CMS Issues MA and Part D Proposed Rule for 2024

Among other policy proposals, the rule includes several proposed changes to utilization management programs in MA and greater flexibility to make changes to approved Part D formularies.

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CMS Releases 2023 Medicare Payment Final Rules
November 11, 2022

CMS Releases 2023 Medicare Payment Final Rules

On November 11, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued final rules for the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), Quality Payment Program (QPP), and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS). 

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