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BIO Submits Comments Re: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems (OPPS) and Quality Reporting Programs Proposed Rule

On September 24, BIO submitted final comments in response to the CY 2019 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule. This year’s OPPS rule included a Request for Information (RFI) around the potential development of a new innovation model for delivery of Part B drugs, using CMS’ authority under the previously existing Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) – of which the original iteration was discontinued in 2008 after failing to attract participants and costing more than the traditional reimbursement structure in Part B.

BIO outlined the need for CMS to be thoughtful and measured in the development of models that are voluntary and support a competitive, market-driven approach, including that any models properly address: (1) adequate protections for patient access to clinically appropriate care and lowering costs to beneficiaries; (2) not creating interference that erodes the existing coverage and reimbursement structure, (3) encouraging robust competition and avoiding misaligned incentives; (4) ensuring workability for physicians who may choose to participate; (5) considering appropriate exemptions for certain drugs and biologicals; and (6) transparency in model design, development, and assessment processes.

Dear Administrator Verma,

The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems (Proposed Rule), including the Request for Information on Leveraging Authority for the Competitive Acquisition program for Part B Drugs and Biologicals for a Potential CMS Innovation Center Model (the RFI).

BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO’s members develop medical products and technologies to treat patients afflicted with serious diseases, to delay the onset of these diseases, or to prevent them in the first place. In that way, our members’ novel therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics not only have improved health outcomes, but also have reduced healthcare expenditures due to fewer physician office visits, hospitalizations, and surgical interventions. BIO membership includes biologics and vaccine manufacturers and developers who have worked closely with stakeholders across the spectrum, including the public health and advocacy communities, to support policies that help ensure access to innovative and life-saving medicines and vaccines for all individuals.

BIO represents an industry that is devoted to discovering new treatments and ensuring patient access to them. Accordingly, we closely monitor changes to Medicare’s reimbursement rates and payment policies for their potential impact on innovation and patient access to drugs and biologicals. Our comments on the Proposed Rule are outlined below.