On September 24, 2020, President Trump issued the Executive Order on An America-First Healthcare Plan, providing a summary of efforts made regarding the efficiency and quality of healthcare in the US, and directives aimed at lowering healthcare costs for Americans.

In an effort to lower healthcare costs, the order directs HHS to:

*Maintain and improve upon actions to expand access to affordable prescription drugs, including allowing the importation of drugs from abroad.

*Work with Congress on a solution to end surprise medical billing by December 31, 2020. If there is no legislative solution by December 31, 2020, HHS must take administrative action to prevent patients from receiving reasonably unforeseen bills for out-of-pocket expenses.

*Update the Medicare.gov Hospital Compare website to provide information regarding billing quality. This includes whether the hospital is in compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency Final Rule (effective January 1, 2021), provides patients with itemized receipts upon discharge, and how often the hospital pursues legal action against patients.

In addition, HHS is directed to continue to maintain and improve upon existing processes to reduce waste, fraud and abuse in the healthcare system and to advance the quality of delivery of care for veterans, while continuing to promote medical innovations of conditions impacting Americans (such as COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease, among others).

Further, in response to the order, HHS issued a final rule from the Food and Drug Administration and related guidance, among other items, as noted in its September 24, 2020, press release. The final rule permits importation of certain drugs from Canada in an effort to lower patient drug costs and explains the process for states who wish to do so.

While the order does not directly impact group health plans, employers should be aware of these developments.

Executive Order on An America-First Healthcare Plan »
FDA Final Rule on Importation of Prescription Drugs »
FDA Guidance on Importation of Prescription Drugs »
HHS September 24, 2020 Press Release »

Source: NFP BenefitsPartners