340B savings can help hospitals and other covered entities better serve patients and improve their health outcomes. But how can these entities make the best use of 340B funds for their institutions? We sat down with Matt Webber, director of pharmacy business at Novant Health based in North Carolina, to learn more. 340B optimization strategies One way that Novant Health optimized its 340B program was through a multidisciplinary team that includes data analysts and auditors. Matt says that...

The 340B community has seen major activity on several fronts since the start of 2024 – the introduction of new legislation on Capitol Hill, movement on legislation in the states, and key developments in the courts. 340B Health President and CEO Maureen Testoni returns to the show to help us make sense of these developments and how they might affect stakeholders. Federal bills could help covered entities but also limit 340B’s scope One new bill introduced in the House of Representatives would...

One of the most important elements of 340B compliance is preventing duplicate discounts. Ensuring there are no duplicate discounts is high on the list of compliance concerns for covered entities, and it is one of the major items that 340B auditors look for. But how do these entities ensure they stay compliant? On this episode, we speak to Melissa Bruce, an ACE-certified compliance analyst for the 340B Programs Team at UNC Health in North Carolina, to learn more.  Compliance factors can vary...

340B hospitals can register certain outpatient locations with the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) as 340B child sites, which allows them to use 340B drugs. HRSA recently announced some changes to how it had been determining this eligibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency. How have these changes affected 340B hospitals, particularly those that had planned new child sites under the previous policy? For the answers to this question and more, we spoke to Chuck...

The Health Resources & Services Administration audits 200 covered entities each year for compliance with 340B rules. We speak with Mark Capuano, senior director of the corporate pharmacy 340B program at New York City Health and Hospitals, about what hospitals should expect when they find out they will be going through a 340B audit. How a hospital can prepare for a 340B audit Auditors typically will ask to schedule a pre-site visit call and will provide a data request list for the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 PharmaciesMaureen shares her concerns about the increasing restrictions, their effects on hospital access to 340B discounts, and expected...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...