Proposed law would speed up Medicare reimbursements

House Resolution 1474, the Fair and Speedy Treatment of Medicare Prescription Drug Claims Act of 2007, would require complete and accurate Medicare Part D prescription drug claims submitted electronically to be paid within 14 days by electronic funds transfer; paper claims would have to paid within 30 days.

“Pharmacies have been forced to deal with payment delays, forcing many of these small businesses to borrow tens of thousands of dollars to cover payroll, wholesaler bills and other basic operating costs,” said Bruce Roberts, executive vice president and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association, in a news release. “Hundreds already have closed, leaving many rural and inner-city areas without these vital community health resources.”

Family Pharmacy President Lynn Morris applauded the effort. Morris is one of many local pharmacists who have had problems with late reimbursements under the Part D program, which took effect in January 2006.

“We’ve settled into (the situation) now, but the law is still flawed, and the law needs to be changed,” Morris said. “Luckily, there are people trying to get the law changed.”

The bill was sponsored by 11 members of the House, including two Missouri Republicans, Jo Ann Emerson and Sam Graves.

The bill, if passed by the House, also would require Senate approval.

See SBJ’s March 19 issue for more on the plight of local pharmacists.