Senate files companion legislation to address DIR fees

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Four U.S. Senators on Monday introduced bipartisan legislation to boost transparency in Medicare Part D drug spending and to prohibit retroactive “DIR fees.”



Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Jon Tester, D-Mont., John Boozman, R-Ark., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., have introduced the “Improving Transparency and Accuracy in Medicare Part D Spending Act” (S. 3308). The Senate legislation is a companion bill to H.R. 5951, which was introduced Sept. 8.



Together, the bills would end direct and indirect remuneration fees (DIR fees) assessed by Medicare drug plans or pharmacy benefit manager corporations after prescriptions are filled.



“In banning retroactive DIR fees, S. 3308 / H.R. 5951 would improve transparency in Medicare Part D as many members of Congress, Medicare officials and NCPA have urged," stated Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association. "The bill would also lower beneficiary cost-sharing at the pharmacy counter without increasing Medicare Part D costs."