All entries for: Cardiology

The U.S. government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Inflation Reduction Act or IRA). The IRA brought sweeping changes to Medicare coverage and reimbursement for prescription drugs that could negatively impact us and other pharmaceutical manufacturers. Of note, beginning January 1, 2025, the eliminates the Medicare Part D coverage gap, and reduces a beneficiary’s out-of-pocket maximum to $2,000. The existing coverage gap discount program for pharmaceutical manufacturers will be replaced by a new manufacturer discount program effective in 2025. Under the new program, manufacturers will provide a 10 percent discount off the negotiated price for applicable drugs (branded drugs and biologics manufactured by companies that have Part D discount agreements) after the deductible is satisfied through the catastrophic phase of the benefit. In the catastrophic phase, manufacturers will provide a 20 percent discount off negotiated price. Any reduction in reimbursement rates under Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurers could negatively affect the pricing of our products. If we are not able to charge a sufficient amount for our products, then our margins and our profitability will be adversely affected.