How this will effect pharmacy as a whole is still yet to be seen, but certain areas of pharmacy will need to react and change due to requirements and opportunities in the ACA that will begin starting in 2014.
These include:
- The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation exemption. This has been in the process for awhile (Click here for more information).
- A new definition of Average Manufacturer's Price (AMP). Independent pharmacy considers the new definition flawed. (For history of issue look here and here).
- Medication Therapy Management Expansion.
- Medicare Part D Donut hole relief for seniors.
- 340B eligibility expanded to: critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals, rural referral centers, and free-standing cancer hospitals. (US government site on 340B)
A separate ruling stated that the Federal government cannot penalize states for not expanding their Medicaid eligibility. In a way this blunts the law's teeth. Likewise, since twenty-six states sued the federal government over the ACA, these states are behind in the means of getting ready to implement the changes. How the federal to state relationship will play out is still to be seen.
For businesses, there is going to be a formula of determining health care coverage that must be purchased for employees and the penalties involved if such purchases are not made. There will also be formed the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchanges in order to help smaller sized businesses shop competitively priced health insurance options for its employees.
There is likely still much to hear on the ACA in the months to come.
