‘Level Playing Field’ Theme Puts Pharmacists on Equal Footing with Doctors, Hospitals in Medicare & 43 State Laws

(Washington, DC)—The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has launched print advertising highlighting a new pledge its member companies have made to pay Medicare pharmacy claims within 30 days, the association announced today. The 30-day pharmacy claims pledge is consistent with the way doctors and hospitals are paid under Medicare Parts A & B, 43 state laws, and federal employees’ health plans. PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 200 million Americans with health coverage provided through small businesses, Fortune 500 employers, health insurers, labor unions, and Medicare Part D.

The print advertisement debuts today. The advertisement features a picture of a pharmacist, doctor and nurse, with the headline: “Medicare pays Doctors and Hospitals within 30 days. We think America’s pharmacists deserve no less.”

“PCMA member companies are committed to paying 95 percent of clean pharmacy claims in the same time frame that doctors and hospitals are paid in Medicare, which is within the 30-day government standard,” said PCMA President Mark Merritt.

At this time, there are five legislative proposals pending in the House and Senate that would mandate claims-payment standards that go far beyond the standard for doctors and hospitals in Medicare Parts A & B, 43 states, and federal employees’ health plans. PCMA has serious concerns that these proposals could impose increased costs on beneficiaries and the Medicare program and could allow for increased fraud and abuse.

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PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which administer prescription drug plans for more than 200 million Americans with health coverage provided through small businesses, Fortune 500 employers, health insurers, labor unions, and Medicare Part D.

Contact Information:
Phil Blando, 202-207-3614
Charles Coté 202-207-3605