340B Insight
340B Health
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Top 10 340B Insight Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best 340B Insight episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to 340B Insight for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite 340B Insight episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
07/20/20 • 20 min
In this episode, we speak with Sarah Dodson, the 340B Program Director at Ascension Via Christi, the largest health care provider in Kansas. Sarah talks about her work with the Community Cares Clinic, which provides comprehensive and hands-on care for vulnerable patients.
It’s also been a busy news month for 340B. In our news update segment, we discuss a drug manufacturer’s unprecedented new policy for refusing 340B pricing on one of its drugs to a covered entity that will be distributing that drug through a contract pharmacy. We also discuss new, bipartisan pro-340B legislation that has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
A Collaborative Approach for Patients: Community Cares Clinic is one of five services offered by Ascension Via Christi that work together to address the barriers and other challenges to patient health care.
Hands-On Health Care Services: The Community Cares Clinic is a nurse practitioner house-call model that sends nurse practitioners to the homes of patients with COPD or heart failure once per month or more frequently if needed. The service also includes access to a 24/7 telephone line for patients to speak with a nurse practitioner from the program. This helps a patient’s care team understand factors affecting patients outside of the hospital setting. With more knowledge about a patient’s lifestyle and environment, health care providers can offer personalized and targeted care. These efforts in tandem with other models of care have resulted in significant reductions in avoidable hospital admissions over the past few years.
The Role of 340B in the Community Cares Clinic: The savings generated by Ascension Via Christi’s 340B participation support the Community Cares Clinic, as well as the other four model services with which it partners.
Replicating the Community Cares Clinic Model: Other hospitals looking to start programs like Community Cares should first identify key barriers for their patients such as the inability to leave their home for care. Hospitals should develop programs that address these barriers when providing services to their patients.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email us at [email protected].
Episode Resources:
1. 340B Health Member Alert on Eli Lilly’s Contract Pharmacy Plan
2. Bipartisan Bill Would Protect 340B Status During Emergency
Pursuing Health Equity: Part Two
340B Insight
02/22/21 • 18 min
This week we continue our two-part series focused on how 340B hospitals are pursuing health equity. In our recently released Health Equity Report, 340B Health profiled nine hospitals working to eliminate health disparities in their communities. Today, we continue sharing the stories of three hospitals from that report. For this episode, we are broadcasting from our virtual booth in the exhibit hall at the 340B Coalition Winter Conference that started Feb. 16 and will run through Feb. 24.
After we recorded this episode, a federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss a joint lawsuit that 340B Health and other plaintiffs had filed over drug company refusals to offer 340B pricing on drugs dispensed at community pharmacies. Read our statement about the decision, and we will provide additional analysis of the decision in upcoming episodes.
We sit down this week with health equity leaders from each of the three hospitals: Rukiya Curvey Johnson, director of community health and engagement at Rush University System for Health in Chicago; Dr. Cheryl Clark, director of health equity, research and intervention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Center for Community Health and Health Equity in Boston; and Greta Todd, executive director of diversity inclusion and community affairs at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
How Data Collection Identifies Disparities
Rush implemented a data-driven approach to identify health disparities within Chicago communities. Curvey Johnson explains how Rush uses assessments and metrics to determine priorities and progression of strategies. Dr. Clark shares how data were critical for Brigham and Women's Hospital in addressing disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Data informed the hospital more about the diversity within their community. To ensure culturally appropriate conversations, they purchased technology that enabled providers to communicate with patients in their preferred languages.
Setting Measurable Goals Supported with Data
With the use of timely data, 340B hospitals are setting goals relevant to their communities. Rush uses their data to help reduce the life expectancy gap in specific Chicago neighborhoods by focusing on education, access to care, and resources for managing chronic disease. Todd explains how St. Louis Children’s Hospital used data from employee engagement surveys to create a safe, inclusive environment for Black nurses in the hospital workforce.
Learning Cultural Competency
One way St. Louis Children’s Hospital pursues health equity is with cultural competency training for the hospital workforce, including senior leadership. Todd believes that cultural competency can help providers better understand and communicate with patients of diverse backgrounds. Todd shares stories of how unconscious bias can affect care for patients of color and the important role the hospital supply chain has in addressing disparities.
Collaboration and Courage Is Necessary to Overcome Health Equity Challenges
Curvey Johnson explains that pursuing health equity is hard work and must involve senior leadership. Collaboration with local and national organizations also is crucial for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
Dr. Clark says providers need to collect more data to better understand the needs of people with disabilities as well as individuals with different sexual orientations and gender identities.”
Todd recommends that those working to pursue health equity ground themselves in the data that support this mission to demonstrate to stakeholders why it is critical to eliminate disparities.
Check out all our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you would like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
Preparing For 340B Recertification
340B Insight
07/26/21 • 21 min
This week, we are joined by Steven Miller, vice president of pharmacy services at 340B Health. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced that annual 340B recertification for hospitals will begin on Aug. 16, 2021. Steve discusses what 340B hospitals need to know about preparing for recertification and avoiding common errors during the process. Prior to the interview, we provide news updates on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposing to continue Medicare Part B cuts to many 340B hospitals and new legislation introduced in Congress to protect 340B hospitals from discriminatory payment rules by pharmacy benefit managers and health insurers.
The Purpose of Recertification
340B hospitals must go through the recertification process to confirm and validate the accuracy of their information and ensure they comply with all program requirements. Steve recommends that 340B hospitals begin getting into the habit of preparing for recertification as soon as they qualify for the program and look at their policies and procedures to confirm they align with the 340B statute.
The Recertification Steps
Steve explains the steps of the recertification process. He stresses the importance of reviewing information for the parent hospital first and then any child sites. The hospital will need to review the qualification information to confirm that the information on the most recent Medicare cost report matches with the information in OPAIS. If the information does not match, the hospital can make the changes in the recertification task and upload the supporting documentation. Steve also explains the Medicaid Exclusion File and why it is a critical component to recertification.
Best Practices For 340B Hospitals Recertifying
Steve shares common errors made when recertifying. The most common error is the authorizing official (AO) not checking every single qualification requirement. These include DSH percentage and Medicare cost report filing date. Steve recommends having both the primary contact and the AO review the information separately to ensure accuracy. He also encourages checking to ensure everything in OPAIS is saved correctly and taking screenshots of each screen in case the information does not save.
Resources For 340B Recertification
Members of 340B Health have access to several resources to prepare for recertification and registration. Members can reach out to 340B Health to set up a technical assistance call with a 340B Health staff expert. Steve also recommends members attend a webinar on Aug. 12, 2021, that will review the recertification process and highlight any new changes for this year.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you would like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
1. 340B Health Statement on Proposed Medicare Payment Cuts to 340B Hospitals In 2022
3. 340B Health Member Resources on Program Registration and Recertification
09/30/21 • 24 min
This week, we are joined by Maureen Testoni, 340B Health’s president and CEO. The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) made a major announcement recently regarding drug companies that are denying 340B discounts on drugs dispensed at community pharmacies. Maureen analyzes the news and discusses what comes next on this issue. She also catches us up on several other important 340B developments from during the summer.
HRSA Refers Six Drug Companies for Possible Fines
HRSA recently referred the first six drug manufacturers that imposed 340B pricing restrictions to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). Maureen explains what this step in the enforcement process means, what the OIG will do next, how the drug companies are responding, and what covered entities should do about two companies that were not included.
The Drug Companies’ Motivation to Deny 340B Discounts
340B Health recently released a report about how the 340B community pharmacy dispute has affected diabetes drugs. Maureen recaps the report’s findings and how it uncovers the drug companies’ likely motivation for sidestepping the 340B statute.
Drug Pricing Legislation and 340B
Congress is working on legislation to lower drug prices. Lawmakers also have introduced bipartisan legislation that would prevent certain discriminatory pricing behavior against 340B providers. Maureen explains what potential federal bills could mean for 340B.
COVID-19 Concerns Continue
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted concerns that some hospitals could become ineligible for the 340B program. Maureen explains how 340B Health is working with Congress on legislation to ensure protection for these hospitals.
U.S. Supreme Court Takes 340B Case
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case regarding Medicare drug payment cuts to many 340B hospitals that have been in place since 2018. Maureen discusses the case and why the administration should not wait to hear the court’s decision to stop the cuts.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
- Six Drug Companies Referred for Penalties for Continued Violations of Federal Law on 340B Pricing
- Report: The Impact on Diabetes of Restrictions on 340B Community Pharmacies
- New 340B Health Video Explains 340B Community Pharmacy Dispute
- Momentum Grows to End Medicare Cuts for 340B Hospitals
- Maureen Testoni Participates in STAT Event About the Future of 340B
340B Check-in with Maureen Testoni
340B Insight
03/29/22 • 22 min
This week, we are joined for the latest in our regular check-ins with 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni. Maureen analyzes the top issues in 340B that occurred in the early months of 2022. These include updates on the 340B community pharmacy dispute and a new law that protects 340B eligibility for hospitals serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drug Company 340B Restriction Trends
There now are 16 companies restricting 340B discounts to safety-net hospitals on drugs dispensed at community pharmacies. Maureen shares updates and in-depth analysis on the three main trends she is seeing in these restrictive 340B policies.
How 340B Health and Hospitals are Working to Restore Discounts
Maureen summarizes the decisions courts have made on the community pharmacy dispute and what will happen next in the legal process. She explains how 340B Health is responding to all the developments and what 340B hospitals should do to help move this issue toward a resolution.
Protecting 340B Hospitals from Losing Eligibility
President Biden recently signed into law legislation protecting 340B hospitals from losing eligibility for the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maureen describes the changes in patient demographics some hospitals have seen during the public health emergency, the advocacy efforts that made the law possible, and the details hospitals need to know about the law’s implementation.
New HRSA Leadership
In the past few months, the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), which oversees the 340B program, had two new leaders join its team. Maureen discusses what this change in leadership means for 340B.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
A Deeper Dive into Claims Submission Conditions
340B Insight
05/15/23 • 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 claims data.
Before the interview, we give an update on a drug company placing additional restrictions on its 340B pricing and recap a recent 340B advocacy event on Capitol Hill.
The Impact of Drug Company Restrictions
The restriction of 340B discounts has had a substantial financial impact on Sanford Health. Jesse shares how these restrictions have made it more difficult for Sanford to obtain 340B savings and use them to provide care to its patients.
Making the Decision to Submit Claims Data
Responding to companies whose policies require submitting patient claims data requires critical decision-making by hospitals. Jesse explains what is involved in submitting the data, how to decide if submitting is a viable option, and what steps hospital 340B teams need to take to prepare their data submissions.
What Happens After Claims Are Submitted?
Jesse explains how quickly discounts might be restored after submitting the claims, how consistently drug companies are keeping the 340B pricing in place, and the challenges hospitals face when dealing with discrepancies between claims.
Resources
Advice for 340B Hospitals Pursuing Health Equity
340B Insight
01/08/24 • 18 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 provides practical advice for how other hospitals can take their own integrated, collaborative, and formalized approaches to 340B and health equity.
Investing in preventive and primary care
Mercy Hospital St. Louis invests significant 340B funding into primary and preventive care for patients who face barriers to accessing that care. These include maternal and child care for underserved patients, a clinic partnership in one of the lowest-income areas in the North City of St. Louis, and a mobile mammography van for patients who lack transportation.
Improving substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment
Mercy Hospital St. Louis found that significant portions of their patient population suffer from behavioral health problems and substance use disorders regardless of their insurance status. In response, the hospital invested more than a million dollars into an emergency department-based screening and therapy initiative and a health network partnership to support patients with the most complex needs.
Helping patients with their drug costs
Mercy Hospital St. Louis found too many patients face health inequities because of the high costs of prescription drugs to treat their chronic diseases. The hospital uses millions in 340B savings to offset drug costs through infusion centers and specialty pharmacies as well as through a partnership with Dispensary of Hope to provide free drugs to patients.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
Telehealth for 340B Hospitals
340B Insight
09/13/21 • 22 min
This week, we are joined by Sumona Das Gupta, assistant director of pharmacy audit and compliance at University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center. As part of the UW Medicine health system, the hospitals operate in the first region of the U.S. that experienced community transmission of COVID-19 last year. Sumona discusses how her hospitals quickly expanded their telehealth capacity to serve patients, how this transformation impacted their 340B program operations and compliance, and the benefits telehealth brings to both patients and providers.
Telehealth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Sumona explains how her medical centers began building a foundation for telehealth prior to the pandemic to reach underserved communities. Before the pandemic, limitations on telehealth existed. However, the pandemic brought changes in policy and technology regarding telehealth. She shares how the medical centers quickly adapted to these changes and what strategies they used to expand their telehealth capabilities.
Addressing 340B Policies and Procedures for Telehealth
Sumona shares how telehealth visits remained eligible for 340B and how her system updated its 340B policies and procedures to reflect telehealth implementation and ensure 340B compliance. This was aided by the Health Resources & Services Administration’s public health emergency flexibilities for 340B providers.
The Benefits and Challenges of Telehealth
Telehealth has widened the ability for patients to access care, even across state lines, while keeping everyone safe. Sumona shares how to help prepare patients for a telehealth visit, the strategies used to help patients feel connected with practitioners during telehealth visits, and the overall satisfaction patients are experiencing with telehealth. She also discusses how telehealth might not work for every patient.
Telehealth is Here to Stay
Sumona previews what is ahead for telehealth post pandemic and how 340B savings can help further expand the access to care that telehealth provides.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
Maureen Testoni’s Outlook for 340B In 2023
340B Insight
02/06/23 • 26 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 340B discounts. When these restrictions start in March, at least 21 companies will be limiting 340B discounts, with 14 of these companies conditioning 340B pricing on providers sharing contract pharmacy claims data.*
U.S. Appeals Court Decision on 340B Contract Pharmacies
Litigation continues on drug companies imposing restrictions on 340B pricing to hospitals and other providers when drugs are dispensed through community and specialty pharmacy partners. Maureen discusses a recent U.S. federal appeals court decision and the next steps in the litigation process. She also explains the trends in the drugmakers’ restrictions.
2023 Advocacy Landscape for 340B
Two recent national newspaper stories portrayed 340B in a negative light, but they did not include a complete picture about how 340B works. Maureen discusses what the increased media attention means for 340B advocacy this year and what hospitals should do to advocate for the program. She also shares an overview of 340B legislative activity at the state level.
Medicare Payment Issues for 340B Hospitals
Maureen shares what she will be watching for during the implementation of a new Medicare drug price-setting law. She also explains the status of repayments to 340B hospitals for unlawful Medicare cuts.
340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process
HHS has proposed revisions to the ADR process for resolving disputes between covered entities and drug manufacturers over 340B pricing. Maureen examines how these revisions will clarify the process and further changes that 340B hospitals are requesting.
Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any questions you would like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].
Resources
- Statement on Third Circuit Appeals Court Decision on Drugmakers’ 340B Restrictions
- Statement on Bayer and EMD Serono Restricting 340B Discounts Through Community-based Pharmacies
- 340B Health Comment Letter to HRSA on Proposed Changes to the 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution
- 340B Coalition Winter Conference 2023
How Hospitals Should Prepare for Clean Audits
340B Insight
04/14/25 • 17 min
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) audits of hospitals play a key role in ensuring compliance with 340B rules and regulations. In this episode, Dave Lacknauth, executive director of pharmacy services at Broward Health in Fort. Lauderdale, Fla., joins us to discuss the importance of taking a proactive, comprehensive approach to audit readiness with the goal of ensuring clean audit results.
Compliance protects 340B access
Being prepared for HRSA audits serves a crucial function that ultimately benefits the patients whom hospitals serve, Lacknauth explains. Maintaining the integrity of 340B means protecting access to 340B savings that hospitals can invest in crucial care for community members that need it.
Continuous audit readiness
Lacknauth discusses how Broward Health maintains audit readiness by conducting internal audits, bringing in external consultants, and identifying areas of opportunity for improvement. A robust system of internal reviews means that when HRSA comes knocking, Broward Health is already prepared. This was evident after a recent audit of one of the system’s hospitals that resulted in zero recommendations for improvement.
Organization, resources, transparency are key
Preparing for audits requires a health system to invest time and resources, but Lacknauth stresses that these investments pay off. Engaging a comprehensive team from various departments in the audit readiness process allows for a health system to have the appropriate level of responsiveness and transparency during a HRSA audit.
Resources:
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FAQ
How many episodes does 340B Insight have?
340B Insight currently has 117 episodes available.
What topics does 340B Insight cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Pharmacy, Medicine, Podcasts and Government.
What is the most popular episode on 340B Insight?
The episode title '340B Helps Hospitals Meet Patients Where They Are' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on 340B Insight?
The average episode length on 340B Insight is 20 minutes.
How often are episodes of 340B Insight released?
Episodes of 340B Insight are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of 340B Insight?
The first episode of 340B Insight was released on May 4, 2020.
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