Statement on Release of Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Part I Guidance

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the finalized Part 1 guidance on the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MP3). The Part I guidance includes programmatic and implementation details for the program. Separately, CMS released the Part II guidance focused on outreach and education efforts on February 15, with public comments due by March 16.

The MP3 has previously been known as Medicare Part D “cost smoothing” or the maximum monthly caps program. In the first part of the guidance released in August 2023, CMS proposed implementation parameters for the program and poses several questions for additional feedback from stakeholders. The Alliance and 61 organizations provided feedback.

Alliance for Aging Research Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations Michael Ward, MS, released the following statement in response to today’s release of the final Part I guidance:

“We are appreciative that CMS finalized important patient protections for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan; however, the delay on point-of-sale beneficiary enrollment raises concerns about patients’ ability to select the payment flexibility when they most need it. It will be vital not only for plans, but for clinicians and trusted messengers to educate Medicare beneficiaries about the MP3 prior to reaching the pharmacy counter to ensure individuals benefit from the program.”

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