CMS to Study Part D Pharmacy Networks; Reaction to MA Rate Announcement Mixed

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said that it plans to study the controversial issue of beneficiary access to “preferred” pharmacy networks in Part D—a move that pleased community pharmacists.

“This study will analyze beneficiaries’ geographic access (i.e., time and distance) to pharmacies offering preferred cost sharing in plans’ networks,” the CMS said in its final 2015 Call Letter, released April 7 67 DER A-35, 4/8/14.

The agency said that after the study is completed, “we will evaluate whether we should set standards for network adequacy for pharmacies offering preferred cost sharing.”

Mixed Findings.

The CMS has said ...