On Jan. 24, the ACC submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a proposal for a benefit tool that interfaces with clinicians’ electronic health records (EHRs) or e-prescribing software and allows for real-time Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage drug pricing and beneficiary information look up. While the tool is a novel concept to promote drug pricing transparency, the College expressed concerns that some technical aspects of the tool’s development and implementation may hinder interoperability and add to administrative burdens.

The letter states, “Instead of rapidly implementing a tool before an industry-wide standard promoting collaboration and interoperability across industry partners is ready, CMS should delay implementation while an accredited standard-setting body develops a suitable real-time benefit tool standard.” Additionally, the ACC stated its continued commitment to patient access to prescription drugs by providing CMS with the College’s policy principles for Patient Access to Prescription Drugs. Read the full comment letter here.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Medicare Part D, Electronic Prescribing, Prescription Drugs, Medicaid, Electronic Health Records

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