Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act provides substantial savings — anywhere from 15% to 60% — on the cost of some drugs for outpatients receiving federally-supported services through health centers.
The National Association of Community Health Centers played an active role in adoption of Section 340B in 1992. NACHC continues to help centers with or without their own pharmacies navigate the regulatory environment surrounding Section 340B.
Among other Section 340B support services, the NACHC helps members by:
• Taking part in 340B Coalition National Conference
• Providing 340B & other pharmaceutical training sessions
• Providing legal analysis, issue briefs, handbooks and model contracts
• Maintaining a directory of centers with pharmacies
• Providing an accredited pharmaceuticals program track for NACHC conferences
• Preparing and presenting conference sessions related to 340B issues
• Providing technical assistance to members through phone consultation
Resources:
NACHC Publications:
Contracting with A Pharmacy Management Service Company to Operate a Center’s Licensed, In-House Pharmacy Pub. July, 1999. Covers legal issues related to contracting with an outside vendor for pharmacy management services. The publication is available by download only.
Health Center Reimbursement for Prescription Drugs: Medicaid PPS and Section 340B Drug Pricing Considerations (Issue Brief 20) Pub. December, 2001. Offers advice on how centers can maximize their allowable reimbursements when billing Medicaid for drugs purchased at 340B prices. Available for free via download or you may order a hard copy for a small shipping and handling fee.
For more information, contact:
Freda Mitchem, Associate Vice President and Senior Adviser, at (301) 347-0400.
Links:
The 340B Coalition
