FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2020
STATEMENT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: MICHAEL REFF
Contact: Kevin Scorsone, NCODA Legislative & Policy Liaison
Phone: (919) 903-2057
Email: kevin.scorsone@ncoda.org
https://www.ncoda.org
MOST FAVORED NATION MODEL: NOT THE ANSWER FOR PATIENTS
NCODA is in opposition of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) model for Medicare patients that would negatively affect patient access to Part B drugs – the chemotherapy and infusion treatments that are administered in our community oncology member practices.
Scheduled to begin January 1, 2021, this mandatory 7-year payment model proposed to lower drug costs would establish reimbursement to providers based on an MFN price for the 50 highest cost Part B drugs. The MFN price would be phased in to replace the current ASP reimbursement model and would be based on international pricing from other countries.
Under the MFN model, practices administering these drugs would be purchasing and administering these drugs at a cost exceeding the proposed MFN reimbursement. These losses would be unsustainable and force practices to close their doors and send patients to more expensive treatment locations. Life-saving treatment options would not be as readily available to many seniors who would be forced to forgo treatment.
We are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in thousands of deaths. The MFN model will promote additional limitations on seniors’ access to standard of care therapy for their cancer diagnoses.
NCODA does not support the implementation of this mandatory model on cancer patients and the oncology community. Not only would this model create a potentially insurmountable challenge for oncology practice it would hurt the people who matter most, the patient.
Our Passion for Patients is not just a statement it continues to be our Mission and focus.
Michael Reff, RPH, MBA
Founder and Executive Director
Full Press Release HERE