NACDS testifies on impact of Medicare and Medicaid regulation on pharmacies

Dennis Wiesner of H-E-B Grocery Co. recently testified on behalf of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores on key Medicare and Medicaid regulations before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade. The panel's hearing was titled, "The Impact of CMS Regulations and Programs on Small Healthcare Providers." Wiesner discussed several items of concern to smaller NACDS members including Medicaid, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Part B. On Medicaid, he said that because of looming cuts, reimbursements will fail to cover pharmacies' costs and could threaten patient access to medications, especially in rural and inner-city areas. On Medicare Part D, he said that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regulations effectively limit the ability of pharmacies to provide 90-day supplies of medications to Part D beneficiaries. Finally on Medicare Part B, he said that new program requirements and competitive bidding will impose significant administrative and financial burdens on pharmacies that provide durable medical equipment, particularly diabetes testing supplies.

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