New Xcenda White Paper Discusses Why the International Pricing Index Model

is Not the Answer to Reforming Medicare Part B

White Paper Highlights Impact of IPI Model on Patients and Health Care Providers

Washington, DC, May 09, 2019 --(PR.com)-- A new white paper, “Upending the Medicare Part B
Program - The International Pricing Index (IPI) Proposed Model,” released today by Xcenda and
commissioned for the Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians Coalition (ASP Coalition) explores the
implications the wide-scale, unprecedented demonstration would have on America's seniors and health
care providers.

Building off a letter sent to congressional leaders in December, the white paper explores how the
proposed IPI model would pose serious risks to Medicare beneficiaries, including treatment delays,
limited access to treatments and providers and lack of cost-sharing savings. Part B beneficiaries - who
often have serious, complex conditions like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis - have the right to access the
treatments prescribed by their physician. Under the IPI model, vendors with no clinical or medical
expertise would have the power to impose restrictions on beneficiary access to drugs through formularies,
disrupting or delaying care in the pursuit of profit. Additionally, it could have a significant impact on
pharmaceutical research and development, resulting in potentially fewer new drugs for patients.

The proposed IPI model could lead to fewer provider choices, loss of revenue and reduced negotiating
power, among other consequences, according to the white paper. If implemented, providers may be
limited in their choice of drugs to prescribe and could see a loss of autonomy due to the mandatory
participation requirement. A loss of revenue could also lead to closures and consolidating practices,
which would disproportionally harm small, rural practices. Lastly, pulling only Medicare purchases out of
negotiations for physician-administered drugs would severely impede providers' ability to negotiate
volume-based discounts.

The ASP Coalition continues to urge the administration to withdraw the IPI model. Instead, the
Administration should seek workable solutions that strengthen the United States' health care system
through patient-centered reforms that embrace competition, foster the provider-patient relationship and
value transformation.

The full “Upending the Medicare Part B Program” white paper can be downloaded here.

About the Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians (ASP) Coalition
The Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians (ASP) Coalition is opposed to harmful changes to the
program that would exacerbate health care consolidation, increase access restrictions, decrease choice of
therapy, and stifle future innovation for physician-administered treatments. To learn more,
partbaccess.org.

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Contact Information:
Part B Access for Seniors and Physicians Coalition
Ellen Almond
(703) 548-1163
Contact via Email
http://www.partbaccess.org/

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/784569

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