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The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the nation’s community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 24,000 pharmacies. We are the only national pharmacy association solely committed to protecting the interests of community pharmacists and their pharmacies. Not only do we provide our members with legislative representation, information and education, but we provide tools to make a difference politically and to improve their businesses.
NCPA is the most effective way to stay informed about issues affecting independent pharmacy and to make sure your interests are protected in Washington.
Benefits of Membership
NCPA Initiatives
For more than 100 years, NCPA has fought tirelessly to advance the business and professional interests of independent community pharmacists and their patients on Capitol Hill, at the White House, before federal agencies, and in state houses across the land. NCPA is a respected and forceful advocate in the corridors of power, known for its ability to quickly mobilize the grassroots voice of its members and the patients they serve. NCPA is the only national pharmacy association solely committed to protecting the interests of community pharmacists and their pharmacies.
Medicare Part D Initiatives:
Data from two recent NCPA surveys show Medicare Part D has caused cash flow problems for more than 90 percent of family-owned pharmacies, more than 60 percent say they have been forced to obtain outside funding to cover their financial shortfalls, and the average independent pharmacy owner is waiting on more than $60,000 in payments from Medicare Part D prescription plans.
NCPA supported the introduction of H.R.5182 or the Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Claims Act. This legislation represents the most comprehensive approach now under consideration in the U.S. House and Senate in addressing some of the problems caused by the Part D program that went into effect on January 1. H.R.5182 has gained nearly 120 bipartisan cosponsors since its introduction.
The Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Claims Act seeks to ensure that:
- Pharmacists are paid for their services in a timely manner by requiring Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) to offer electronic direct deposit of reimbursements to participating pharmacies;
- Clean claims submitted electronically will be paid within 14 days, and all other clean claims will be paid within 30 days;
- Pharmacists are promptly notified if there are problems with submitted claims;
- Generic dispensing fees are set at a minimum level to ensure pharmacists can afford to provide cost-saving drugs to their communities; and
- Cobranding is prohibited on cards issued by a prescription drug plan.
Other Medicare Part D Initiatives:
- Created CCRx, the 4th largest Medicare PDP, that offers generic incentives and NO MAIL ORDER
- Implementing Community Medication Therapy Management, a web based platform that allows pharmacists to carry out Medication Therapy Management services for compensation.
Medicaid Cuts:
Earlier this year problems with Medicaid came to the forefront when the U.S. House of Representatives voted to slash $3.6 billion from Medicaid reimbursement to pharmacists for the 2007 budgetary year. The current average state Medicaid pharmacist dispensing fee is $4.15, while the average cost for a pharmacist to dispense a prescription is $9.62, according to a 2005 study from the University of Texas. With Medicaid reimbursements slashed, dispensing fees would need to increase or pharmacists would lose money on most generic Medicaid prescriptions and be unable to continue serving Medicaid patients. The bill cut only the Medicaid reimbursement on generics drugs, while leaving more expensive brand name drugs untouched.
NCPA made literally hundreds of visits to House and Senate offices. We raised and unleashed a pharmacist army of 10,000 that called, faxed, and e-mailed their lawmakers. Our combined efforts reduced the level of cuts by $1.6 billion. Our grassroots efforts created a savings of $66,667 per independent store in the United States.
PBM/Mail Order Abuses:
There is strong evidence that some third-party program administrators, aka PBMs, market plans at one price to pharmacists and another price to the purchasers and pocket the difference. This misconduct includes charging community pharmacies more than the amount specified in a plan sponsor's contract. In addition, plan sponsors and their covered employees, who are often forced to unnecessarily increase co-payments, have not been given disclosure of the PBM differential charges.
NCPA is committed to informing health insurance plan sponsors and appropriate public officials of the nature and extent of this misconduct in the management of prescription benefits. NCPA is currently sponsoring PBM Legislation in 27 states.
Benefits of Membership
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