Certain Formulary Changes Won't Jeopardize Grandfathered Status. Recent guidance issued by the Department of Labor in the form of Frequently Asked Questions about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes good news for plans. It clarifies that moving brand name drugs to higher cost-sharing tiers based on the availability of generic alternatives will not cause plans to lose grandfathered status. The guidance stopped short of saying that formulary changes were okay under any scenario. National CooperativeRx submitted comments to the Department of Labor last August advocating for utmost flexibility for health plans in adopting formulary changes. Read the FAQs, Part VI. 

Also, time is running out to register for the WisconsinRx/National Cooperative Annual Meeting in Madison, WI. Our theme this year is Promoting Medication Adherence - Challenges and Opportunities for Employers and will feature valuable advice from some of the nation's recognized leaders on this topic. We ask that you RSVP by April 15.  For more information and to register, click here.

Society for Human Resource Management. Employers trying to keep a handle on their pharmacy benefit costs are finding that speciality drugs are growing at a much faster rate than the rest. (Sammer, 4/4) Full story

Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.  Suggests lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure, and if drugs are necessary makes recommendations about high value choices. Full story

CVS Caremark.  CVS Caremark has been named as one of the most reputable companies in the United States, according to the 2011 Most Reputable Companies list published today by Forbes magazine in partnership with the Reputation Institute. (4/5) Release

Kaiser Health News. To help monitor use of opioid drugs, some doctors ask patients to sign "pain contracts" or that spell out the rules patients must follow to take these drugs safely. (Andrews, 4/6) Full story

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynocologists. Says Makena price reduction is inadequate. (4/1) Release

Department of Labor.  Issues its first annual report on self-funded group health plans as required by PPACA, and finds that the data gleaned from Form 5500 is limited in scope and interpreting it is complex. Report 

Internal Revenue Service. Issues guidance on reporting the value of health coverage on W-2's, not required until the 2012 tax year. Notice 2011-28

Politico. The Senate on Tuesday voted to repeal the health reform's 1099 tax reporting requirements, ending months of debate and votes over a provision that had few defenders. (Haberkorn, 4/5) Full story 

95 Percent Rebate True-Up.  In addition to quarterly rebate guarantees, National CooperativeRx has also negotiated as part of its contract an additional "95% true-up." This means if the per claim rebates do not equal at least 95% of the total rebates our PBM collects over a 12 month period, the difference up to 95% is collected and distributed to members. It keeps our PBM motivated while ensuring our members get what they deserve.  We return one hundred percent of all collected rebates to our members.  Visit our website for more information.