Senate passes bill to delay AMP implementation

Pharmacy groups are cheering over a bill that was approved by the U.S. House and has now passed the Senate as well. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) would:

• Delay implementation of Medicaid's average manufacturers price approach until Oct. 1, 2009
• Require prompt payment of Medicare Part D claims
• Delay implementation of Round 1 of Medicare's durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program
• Reward physicians for acquiring and using electronic prescribing technology.

The American Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, and SureScripts-RxHub have all supported some or all of these provisions. PCMA took issue with the prompt pay provisions. The organizations urge President Bush to sign the bill quickly.

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