Anthem PBM CEO out after just a few months
The CEO of Anthem's pharmacy benefit manager is leaving the company after less than three months on the job. Brian Griffin is leaving Anthem's IngenioRx, where he started in March to lead Diplomat Pharmacy, another pharmacy service provider. Griffin will start at Diplomat on June 4, according to a press release.
IngenioRx COO Deepti Jain will serve as interim CEO while Anthem searches for a replacement.
"We are pleased to welcome Brian to the Diplomat team at this important time, and are confident that his dynamic skillset and significant industry experience make him ideally suited to assume the roles of CEO and Chairman," Ben Wolin, chairman of the board of directors at Diplomat, said in a statement. (Release)
Prescription drug prices high on voters' minds
With less than six months before the critical midterm elections, it appears drug prices are at the forefront of voters' minds.
According to a new poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 66% of Republicans, 78% of Democrats and 72% of independents said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who vows to bring drug prices down.
The poll comes before a much-anticipated speech by President Donald Trump regarding drug prices. (KFF poll)
CMS boosts payments for certain medical equipment
Medicare providers will see a little boost in their durable medical equipment payments starting June 1.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services issued a interim final rule Wednesday that would increase benefit payments by $290 million and $70 million in beneficiary cost sharing for durable medical equipment services from next month through December.
The agency added that many DME providers and business are struggling financially under current payment rates, and the pay boost is intended to specifically help smaller businesses.
"This action will help Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas continue to access life-sustaining durable medical equipment, like oxygen equipment," CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in an accompanying statement. (Release)