Single Drug Pricer (SDP)

20.2 - Single Drug Pricer (SDP) (Rev. 397, Issued: 12-16-04, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 01-03-05) Effective January 1, 2003, contractors pay drug claims on the basis of the prices shown on the SDP files, if present. On a quarterly basis, CMS furnishes three SDP files to all MACs and ROs except A/B MACs (HHH) and DME MACs, as follows: 1. “HCPCS” Drug Pricing File a. CMS furnishes a SDP file that contains drugs identified by a code established by the Health Care Procedure Code System (HCPCS). This HCPCS drug-pricing file (HDPF) contains: • Every HCPCS drug code for every drug for which claims are submitted to A/B MACs (B) (excluding DME MACs); • With respect to each such HCPCS code, the unit of measure by which such HCPCS code is defined; • With respect to each HCPCS code and unit of measure, the Medicare allowed amount; • With respect to each HCPCS code for which the price has changed from the price determined in the previous quarter, an indication as to whether the new price is higher or lower than the price determined in the prior quarter; • With respect to each new HCPCS code, an indicator to that effect; and • With respect to each deleted HCPCS code, an indicator to that effect. b. The filename convention is as follows: (1) “hdpf” in the first 4 positions (2) positions 5-8 correspond to the year and quarter for which the file is applicable (e.g., hdpf0301.xls). c. An HDPF will be made available approximately 30 days before the beginning of each calendar quarter, i.e., on or about each February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. 2. “Not otherwise classified” (NOC) Drug Pricing File a. CMS furnishes a NOC SDP file for drugs “not otherwise classified.” This NOC drug pricing file (NDPF) contains: • With respect to every drug NOC under the HCPCS for which claims are submitted to A/B MACs (B) (excluding DME MACs), the NDC code and drug name; • With respect to each such NDC code, the unit of measure by which such drug is covered; • With respect to each NOC drug, the Medicare allowed amount; • With respect to each NOC drug for which the price has changed from the price determined in the previous quarter, an indication as to whether the new price is higher or lower than the price determined in the prior quarter; • With respect to each new NOC drug, an indicator to that effect; and • With respect to each deleted NOC drug, an indicator to that effect. b. The filename convention is as follows: (1) “ndpf” in the first 4 positions (2) positions 5-8 correspond to the year and quarter for which the file is applicable (e.g., the initial NOC file’s filename was “ndpf0301.xls”). c. The CMS makes a revised NDPF available approximately 30 days before the beginning of each calendar quarter, i.e., on or about each February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. NOTE TO A/B MACs (A): The NOC file does not necessarily contain all NOC drugs. A/B MACs (A) must contact A/B MACs (B) to determine if there are other drugs the A/B MAC (B) has priced separately and request the prices for those drugs as needed. 3. The CMS furnishes a pricing documentation file (PDF) that contains only new drugs and biologicals for which a Medicare price has been established since the previous quarter: a. The data in the drug pricing file, i.e., each HCPCS code and its Medicare allowed amount; b. With respect to each HCPCS drug code, every product, as identified by its NDC code, that contains the same active ingredient as specified in the definition of the HCPCS code; c. With respect to those NDC codes used to determine the Medicare-allowed amount, an indicator to that effect; d. With respect to each such NDC, the price or prices used to determine the average wholesale price (AWP) of the product; e. With respect to each such price, an identification of the source(s) of the price; and f. With respect to each such source, the date, edition, and other information necessary and sufficient to enable CMS to verify the price. Except as specifically noted, each A/B MAC (A) and (B) will: • Upon receiving the quarterly update files, execute its normal update process using the SDP files. If necessary, the contractor shall process manually to implement SDP file prices effective with the beginning of the following quarter. • Compare the prices it paid previously with the prices shown on the prior SDP file; taking note of the unit pricing quantity shown on the applicable SDP file and comparing it to the unit pricing quantity to ensure that any apparent price changes are real. o A/B MACs (B) must notify physicians of price changes. o A/B MACs (A) must notify ESRD facilities (with respect to ESRD drugs not included in the composite rate) and hospitals (with respect to clotting factors) of price changes to the extent and in the manner you have done previously. • Advise the RO of any price on a SDP file it believes is not correct. • Not substitute its price for the price shown on an SDP file unless authorized to do so by a joint memorandum from CMS. • If updated prices, in whole or in part, are not made available on a timely basis, use the prices from the prior quarter’s SDP files to the extent necessary. • A/B MACs (B) continue to price drugs as outlined in §20.2 with respect to any drug that is not listed on the SDP files and with respect to any compounded drug that is not identified by a single NDC. o Report to the RO, on or before March 1 of each year, whether any drugs are being priced separately, including but not limited to NOC drugs. If one or more drugs are being priced separately, then the name of the drug, its NDC, the price determined, and the source used to price drug must also be included in the report. • A/B MACs (A) and (B): Publish current SDP prices on their Web site immediately upon receipt of the file from CMS. • A/B MACs (A): As needed on a quarterly basis and within seven days of receipt of the SDP files, request, from A/B MACs (B), prices of drugs that A/B MACs (B) may price separately. o A/B MACs (B): Upon request, on a quarterly basis and within seven days of any such request, furnish to A/B MACs (A) within jurisdiction, free of charge, the subset of files, which includes drugs that are priced separately. • A/B MACs (A) and (B): Respond to questions about price changes and the implementation of AWP pricing as done previously. Contractors respond to questions about the SDP on the basis of these instructions. Questions that cannot be answered should be referred to the RO. • The MCS shared systems shall maintain eight fee screens/pricing files (a current period and seven prior periods) for Part B “incident to” drugs billed to A/B MACs (B) for payment on a fee-for- service basis. (NOTE: VIPS is waived and will continue to carry 5 pricing periods) • Since they post the updated SDP file to their Web site upon receipt from CMS, A/B MACs (B) are waived from the requirement to give 30 days advance notice for fee schedule changes with respect to drugs. • SDP does not preclude the use of inherent reasonableness or the establishment of local medical review policies, including the use of a least costly alternative. o If a least costly alternative is determined and a price for the least costly alternative exists on the SDP, the SDP price for the least costly alternative must be used. • Medicare coverage determinations are independent of the SDP. The presence or absence of a price for a particular drug in the SDP is irrelevant to Medicare coverage determinations. • EPO=Q codes are included in the SDP, applicable to physician claims. The statutory limit for EPO applies to nonphysician claims. • “Unit Measurement” means the amount of whatever measurement is used in the code description (e.g., milligrams (mg)). ROs: 1. Advise A/B MACs (B) concerning the implementation of the SDP. 2. Respond to questions about drug price changes. 3. Respond to questions about the implementation of the AWP pricing methodology. 4. Respond to questions about the SDP on the basis of these instructions. 5. Refer any questions that cannot be answered to central office (CO) per item 6, below. 6. Advise CO of matters that require CO attention.