I had no idea that the discontinuance of immunosuppressants in a required drug category under Medicare Part D formularies was in the works. I'm incredibly grateful to the SSF, the AARDA, and NCAPG for not only being aware of this important potential change; but also for being assertive in protecting options for care in autoimmune disease. Need another reason to consider supporting the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation? Read this:
The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation (SSF) is proud to be a member of the National Coalition of Autoimmune Patient Groups (NCAPG) and join with similar organizations to represent the voice of our members and all Sjögren’s patients.
This past Friday, the SSF stepped up to support the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) and other coalitions that petitioned the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal to discontinue the inclusion of all immunosuppressants as a required drug category under Medicare Part D formularies.The SSF submitted its own comments as well to the CMS about the proposal.
Today we are happy to announce that the Administration will not finalize at this time ANY of the changes it had proposed to the Six Protected Classes policy in its Part D proposed rule issued in January of this year!
As a nonprofit organization representing the 4 million Americans who suffer from Sjögren’s, the second most common rheumatic/autoimmune disease, the SSF believes it is crucial that access to life-saving and life-altering care not to be impeded in any way.
Because Sjögren’s patients often present as complex cases, with no two patients being exactly alike and tend to have multiple autoimmune disorders that contribute to the complexity of management and treatment, patients and their physicians together need to be free to decide which therapies are best suited for each patient specifically. Though the SSF appreciated the fact that CMS wanted to improve quality and costs for patient care, we believe the best way to do so is to ensure critical access to care and let the protected class status remain for immunosuppressants in Medicare Part D.
The SSF wants to thank all of our members as your support allows us advocate on behalf of all patients! We are excited that our combined efforts paid off and millions of Medicare beneficiaries will continue to have greater health care options and access to their vital medications.
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