340B sits at an intersection where federal programs and state agencies come together. Maine, Minnesota, and Washington recently enacted new laws requiring hospitals to report 340B information to the states each year. What should health systems know about these new requirements? We speak with Danny Ackert, the director of state government relations at the Minnesota Hospital Association, to learn more about what these requirements look like in his state and what hospitals might expect in other sta...
Feb 12, 2024•18 min
We are returning to a popular episode format we aired early last year, when we consulted with 340B Health’s expert staff to answer your most pertinent 340B questions. As we start another busy year for 340B, we help you prepare for the action by answering your questions about the Genesis court decision, 340B activity in state legislatures, Medicare Part B repayments, and more. Patient Definition After the Genesis Decision One listener wonders how the recent Genesis court decision might affect 340...
Jan 29, 2024•19 min
Episode Description: The 340B drug pricing program can produce significant savings that hospitals can invest in more equitable care for underserved patients. What are some of the best ways for hospitals to use their savings in the pursuit of greater health equity? We sit down with Danielle McPherson, the executive director of managed care contracting and operations with Mercy Health, to discuss how one Mercy hospital uses 340B savings to close health care gaps in the St. Louis area. Danielle pro...
Jan 08, 2024•19 min
The past several months have seen several major developments in the world of 340B drug pricing. 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni returns to the show to break down some of the most important recent 340B stories. Landmark Federal Court Ruling on Patient Definition In November, a federal court in South Carolina ruled against the Health Resources & Services Administration for an unpublished interpretation of 340B patient definition guidelines the agency had been using in audits of c...
Dec 18, 2023•22 min
In July, Karen Bowling became the new chair of the 340B Health Board of Directors. The West Virginia native is the president and CEO of Princeton Community Hospital and executive vice president of government affairs for West Virginia University Health System (WVU Medicine). In this episode, Bowling discusses her clinical and leadership experience, her 340B advocacy and communications work, and her advice for getting hospital and health system leaders engaged on 340B. Connecting 340B to Patients ...
Nov 13, 2023•22 min
This week we are joined by Amanda Sellers Smith , legal counsel for 340B Health. Amanda tracks and responds to 340B state legislative and regulatory actions. She discusses recent developments in state-based legislation, including 340B reporting requirements, nondiscrimination prohibitions, and bans on drugmaker restrictions. She also looks ahead to what hospitals and their government relations departments can expect in 2024. Before the interview, we give an update on a set of unprecedented chang...
Oct 30, 2023•18 min
Centralized distribution models can help health systems streamline day-to-day operations, including mitigating drug shortages, and maximizing contract compliance and efficiency. Jake Olson, 340B pharmacy manager at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, joins us to discuss how centralized distribution models have operationalized Froedtert’s 340B program. Mitigating Drug Shortages Inventory optimizing helps ensure organizations meet their resource demands. Jake discusses mi...
Oct 10, 2023•17 min
Several key developments in 340B-related legislation and regulation have occurred in recent weeks, and more are expected this fall. In this episode, Maureen Testoni returns to the show to give her updates on where 340B stands in Congress, in state legislatures, and with the administration. State Legislation Testoni notes how states such as Arkansas and Louisiana are leading the way on expanding protections for 340B, leading to changes in drugmaker behavior and lawsuits in federal courts. Federal...
Sep 25, 2023•21 min
340B compliance is essential to the integrity and success of the program, and data management across hospital departments is an essential element of compliance. By implementing data crosswalks, 340B hospitals can achieve greater program compliance and optimization. Anja Wilkinson, 340B program manager at St. Francis Health System in Tulsa, Okla., joins us to speak about best practices for 340B crosswalks and how interdepartmental coordination is key to maximizing the benefits of 340B. Before the...
Sep 11, 2023•18 min
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was enacted last year, and it includes a significant drug pricing component that will affect 340B savings on some of the drugs that cost the most for Medicare. In this episode, we are joined by Meetali Desai, director of pharmacy business services at UMass Memorial Medical Center , to discuss the impact of the IRA on 340B hospitals and health systems. Uncovering the Effects of the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA will result in unique changes to 340B hospitals a...
Aug 28, 2023•17 min
It’s that time of year again when your 340B hospital must go through the annual 340B recertification process . 340B Health’s vice president of pharmacy services Steven Miller joins us to discuss what 340B covered entities need to know about recertification and how to recertify without any errors. How the Recertification Process Works Steve explains the step-by-step process for covered entities to confirm and validate the accuracy of their information and ensure they are still eligible for 340B. ...
Aug 14, 2023•19 min
Cindy Williams has critical advice for anyone wanting to start a career in 340B and pharmacy. Cindy is the vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Riverside Health System in Virginia. In this episode, she walks us through her 340B professional journey over the last three decades, from her initial dreams of having a career in health care to a leadership position that also involves managing a 340B program. She gives advice on building key relationships and driving impactful change in the indu...
Jul 31, 2023•21 min
Specialty pharmacy trends have evolved significantly in recent years and even in the past few months. In this episode, Tim Paine, a specialty pharmacy expert who now heads up EPU Healthcare Consulting, dives into specialty pharmacy and its connection to the 340B program. Building off his decades of experience in pharmaceuticals and pharmacy, Tim discusses the high costs of specialty drugs, the crucial role of 340B discounts, and the challenges hospitals face navigating this ecosystem. Before the...
Jul 10, 2023•19 min
An increase in drug companies restricting 340B discounts and Capitol Hill action on 340B legislation are among several key recent developments that 340B professionals need to be aware of. In this episode, Maureen Testoni , president and CEO of 340B Health , discusses this activity and what it means for the 340B community. Drug Company Restrictions on Contract Pharmacies Maureen shares her concerns about the increasing restrictions, their effects on hospital access to 340B discounts, and expected...
Jun 27, 2023•24 min
340B hospitals must navigate the challenging world of pharmacy supply chain management, in which they must balance budget constraints while providing high-quality care to all their patients. In this episode, we explore best practices for how hospitals can manage the 340B pharmacy supply chain. Our guest is Ashley Covert, system director of pharmacy supply chain and contracting at Dartmouth Health . Before the interview, we give an update on two problematic bills approved by the House Energy and ...
Jun 05, 2023•20 min
Several of the drug companies restricting 340B discounts on drugs dispensed at contract pharmacies have created policies that say they will restore the 340B prices if covered entities submit patient claims data. In this episode, we dive deeper into these claims submission conditions with Jesse Breidenbach, vice president of pharmacy at Sanford Health and a member of the 340B Health Board of Directors . Jesse shares best practices for navigating the challenges when drug manufacturers demand claim...
May 15, 2023•21 min
A recent report from 340B Health includes data on how drug company restrictions on 340B hospital partnerships with community and specialty contract pharmacies have taken a toll on the health care safety net and the patients who rely on it. On this episode, we speak with the report’s author, 340B Health Vice President of Research and Policy Analytics Caroline Steinberg, to walk through the findings and discuss what they mean for 340B hospitals and their patients. Before the interview, we provide ...
May 01, 2023•18 min
340B contributes vital resources toward the pursuit of health equity for historically underserved communities. As we recognize National Minority Health Month, we speak with Fatimah Muhammad, director of 340B pharmaceutical services and drug replacement at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. Fatimah discusses how her hospital uses 340B to address maternal health disparities, including support for a birth center to improve maternal health outcomes. Before the interview, we pro...
Apr 17, 2023•20 min
340B helps health systems and hospitals stretch their resources and provide more services to patients in need. This makes 340B important to a hospital or health system leadership team’s ability to plan how it will deliver care. In this episode, we speak with Matthew Perry, president and CEO of Genesis Healthcare System in Zanesville, Ohio. Matt shares his perspective about 340B and how 340B professionals can best engage with their hospital CEO. Prior to the interview, we share findings from a ne...
Apr 03, 2023•19 min
340B compliance is a critical requirement for hospitals participating in the program, and one of the ways 340B hospitals maintain compliance is through conducting internal audits. For this episode, we speak with Tristan Greer, 340B program business manager at Catholic Health in Buffalo, N.Y. Tristan has significant experience conducting 340B internal audits at the health system, and she shares several best practices for a successful internal audit. Before the interview, we provide a news update ...
Mar 20, 2023•17 min
State policymakers have increased the attention they are paying to 340B. In this episode, we hear from 340B state advocacy expert Abby Reale. Abby is director of government and external affairs with Mountain Health Network in West Virginia. The state has been a leader in protecting 340B, and she shares how her health system worked with other hospitals and provider organizations to advocate for the first 340B non-discrimination law in the nation. Prior to the interview, we provide a news update a...
Mar 06, 2023•21 min
Health information technology (IT) is intertwined with 340B operations and compliance. So how can hospitals and health systems manage IT while keeping 340B in mind? To find out, we hear from Robert Owens, director of pharmacy enterprise shared services at Atrium Health. Bob is a pharmacy health IT expert, and he shares how the technology intersects with 340B. He also shares insights to ensure strong 340B operations and compliance when undergoing an electronic health records (EHR) system conversi...
Feb 21, 2023•20 min
Several 340B developments have occurred in the first weeks of 2023, with many more expected to come this year. In this episode, we speak with 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni about her outlook for 340B. Our discussion includes her analysis of the latest in the 340B contract pharmacy dispute, the 340B advocacy landscape at the federal and state levels, and Medicare issues affecting 340B. *Editor’s note: We spoke with Maureen prior to Bayer and EMD Serono announcing they will restrict...
Feb 06, 2023•27 min
We often receive listener questions about 340B issues and developments that affect professionals in the 340B world. In this episode, we open the listener virtual mailbag and answer some of your questions with help from our 340B Health staff experts. Some of the questions we tackle include queries about mitigating 340B contract pharmacy restrictions, understanding 340B patient definition, analyzing current 340B hospital audit trends, and examining Medicare Advantage payment rates for 340B drugs. ...
Jan 24, 2023•23 min
Providing care beyond hospital walls is a growing trend for 340B hospitals. One service that health systems provide outside of the hospital setting is home infusion care. On our first episode of 2023, we are joined by David Klinger and Seth Gazes from Geisinger Health to hear how 340B hospitals can establish home infusion care and the 340B considerations they should keep in mind. Prior to the interview, we provide an update on the 19th drug company to restrict 340B discounts for drugs dispensed ...
Jan 09, 2023•20 min
340B professionals are not the only hospital staff who need to know about 340B. That is why it is important that 340B professionals educate their colleagues about the program and what it means for clinical care and patient care operations. For our final episode of the year, 340B professional Ryan Atherton joins us to share the strategies he has deployed to help his colleagues better understand 340B’s role in the patient care mission. Ryan formerly was the 340B program manager at Yakima Valley Me...
Dec 19, 2022•16 min
The recent election results have implications for the future of U.S. health policy and the 340B program. Health policy experts Debbie Curtis and Rodney Whitlock join us this week to discuss how the new Congress will affect 340B and how individuals can best engage in educating and advocating for the program. Debbie and Rodney are vice presidents at McDermott + Consulting and previously were congressional staffers. Before the interview, we provide an update on the litigation process in the 340B co...
Dec 05, 2022•20 min
Nov. 17 is National Rural Health Day, which is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of rural hospitals to patients living in remote communities. We are joined by Karen McCombs, 340B program manager for Wills Memorial Hospital in Georgia. Karen shares her tips for managing her critical access hospital’s 340B program in a compliant and efficient manner to support patient care initiatives. Before the interview, we provide updates on the 2023 Medicare payment rate for 340B drugs and on the sta...
Nov 14, 2022•20 min
On Nov. 4, 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed the 340B drug pricing program into law. To celebrate 30 years of 340B, we speak on today’s episode with former Congressman Henry Waxman, who was one of the principal architects of the 340B program. Congressman Waxman served in Congress for 40 years from 1975-2015. During part of that time, he chaired the influential U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and U.S. House Government & Oversight Committee. Chairman Waxman shares why Congress...
Nov 04, 2022•22 min
When Hennepin Medical Center saw that some of their patients were frequently visiting the emergency department for all their health care needs, they recognized how vital it was to find a better way to care for them. Our guest this week is Christene Jolowsky, senior director of pharmacy at Hennepin Healthcare. Christene shares how Hennepin has used 340B savings to operate a coordinated care clinic that meets the health and social needs of their patients. Prior to the interview, we provide news up...
Oct 24, 2022•21 min
