By Blair Childs, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs
Premier appreciates that CMS is proposing to maintain the inpatient only list. This will help ensure that clinical guidance and best practices are considered when determining the sites of care where services are provided.
We are disappointed that CMS continues its misguided 340B drug pricing policy, eliminating savings that hospitals use to provide support in underserved areas. Moreover, CMS’ decision to significantly increase the civil monetary penalties for hospitals that fail to meet the price transparency requirements is premature. We are committed to ensuring consumers have accurate information on costs. However, the requirement to post charges for all items and services is burdensome and does not appropriately capture charges for services provided in risk-bearing arrangements. Hospitals need additional clarification, time and experience before penalties are increased.
