Pharmacy groups praise Reps. Baldwin, Stupak for seeking to block Medicare recoupment

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is praising Democratic Reps. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Bart Stupak (Mich.) for taking the lead in efforts to protect pharmacists from the recoupment of claims the Medicare agency says were paid in error. The two lawmakers wrote to Charlene Frizzera, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), this week asking her to block recoupment for services "provided and billed in good faith by independent pharmacies." 

"Recently, CMS sent notices to pharmacies in several states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, regarding claims dating back to 2006 for supplies provided by them to eligible Medicare patients," the lawmakers wrote. "Medicare Part B auditors are demanding complete recoupment from the pharmacy for the entire cost of the supply provided to the beneficiary. These pharmacies provided necessary services to patients in good faith and yet CMS asserts these claims were paid in error."

Bruce Roberts, executive vice president and CEO of the NCPA, applauded the lawmakers. 

"Pharmacists in Wisconsin, Michigan and across the country should applaud Representatives Tammy Baldwin and Bart Stupak for their leadership on this issue," he said. Durable Medical Equipment "contractors are being intrusive and unrealistic in demanding pharmacies go back several years to account for the supposed overpayment of Medicare Part B supplies."