CMS issues final rule expanding data sharing and price transparency in Medicare Part D

On May 19, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule revising the Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) Programs regulations for contract year 2015. The rule contains several provisions that aim to improve program efficiencies, clarify program requirements, and improve payment accuracy. Among these provisions is a commitment to broadened access to Part D data - under the final rule, external entities (such as researchers) now may request and receive unencrypted prescriber, plan and pharmacy identifiers contained in prescription drug event (PDE) records. Click here to read the press release summarizing the key provisions of the final rule; click here for access to the complete final rule.