Sec. 146. GAO study on increases to Medicare and Medicaid spending due to copayment coupons and other patient assistance programs
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The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the impact of copayment coupons and other patient assistance programs on prescription drug pricing and expenditures within the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The study shall assess the following: The extent to which copayment coupons and other patient assistance programs contribute to inflated prescription drug prices under such programs. The impact copayment coupons and other patient assistance programs have in the Medicare Part D program established under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–101 et seq.) on utilization of higher-cost brand drugs and lower utilization of generic drugs in that program.
The extent to which manufacturers report or obtain tax benefits, including deductions of business expenses and charitable contributions, for any of the following: Offering copayment coupons or other patient assistance programs. Sponsoring manufacturer patient assistance programs. Paying for sponsorships at outreach and advocacy events organized by patient assistance programs. The efficacy of oversight conducted to ensure that independent charity patient assistance programs adhere to guidance from the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services on avoiding waste, fraud, and abuse.
In this section: The term independent charity patient assistance program means any organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code and which is not a private foundation (as defined in section 509(a) of such Code) that offers patient assistance. The term manufacturer has the meaning given that term in section 1927(k)(5) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r–8(k)(5) ). The term manufacturer patient assistance program means an organization, including a private foundation (as so defined), that is sponsored by, or receives funding from, a manufacturer and that offers patient assistance.
Such term does not include an independent charity patient assistance program. The term patient assistance means assistance provided to offset the cost of drugs for individuals. Such term includes free products, coupons, rebates, copay or discount cards, and other means of providing assistance to individuals related to drug costs, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report describing the findings of the study required under subsection (a).
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- 42 USC 1395w–101
- 42 USC 1396r–8(k)(5)
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Sec. 146
GAO study on increases to Medicare and Medicaid spending due to copayment coupons and other patient assistance programs
Cite42 USC 1395w–101
Cite42 USC 1396r–8(k)(5)
Cites 2Cited by 0 across 0 sources