International drug pricing model concerns oncologists, others who work with Medicare consumers

Healthcare organizations that represent patients who rely on Medicare Part B drugs have told the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services they are concerned over its proposal to save money on drug costs through an international pricing index model. CMS is considering issuing a proposed rule this spring on the IPI model for prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part B. The model would start in the spring of 2020 and operate for five years, until 2025. CMS intends to test whether phasing down the Medicare payment amount for selected Part B drugs would more closely align international prices. International pricing comparisons show that Medicare, as well as American consumers, pay the highest brand name drug prices in the world.