Smith Drug Co. supports end to retroactive Medicare D billing

To obtain legitimate protections for seniors, taxpayers and pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesaler Smith Drug Co. recently expressed support for Congressional legislation to prevent benefit managers from billing customers retroactively for Medicare Part D prescriptions.
Along with 115 additional health care organizations including the Milton, Vermont-based Burlington Drug Co., the Smith Drug Co. specifically endorsed measures in the U.S. House and Senate — the Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act — titled S. 413 and H.R. 1038 respectively.
According to Smith, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stated previously that such billing tactics, whether direct or indirect, impact not only Medicare patients’ costs but also CMS disbursements to Part D plans.
In addition, it “pushes patients prematurely into the catastrophic coverage gap,” the firm said, noting that the category’s expenses have at least tripled since 2010 and now register at approximately $24 billion.
“The effort is coordinated by the National Community Pharmacists Association,” company spokespersons stated in a press release. “Please click here for more information on this issue and here if you’d like to voice your support for this important legislation.”
The Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Smith Drug Co. distributes home medical equipment and related supplies to over 1,400 clients nationwide.