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Patients across the country are receiving hospital care not knowing if they will get stuck with enormous and unexpected bills when they are released.

Lax oversight by the federal government is causing drugmakers to pay discounts for the same drug twice, according to a new report released this week from the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The federal government isn't doing a good job of determining whether a drug company has to provide both 340B discounts and rebates for Medicaid, a federal watchdog said.

WASHINGTON – New research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has concluded that payments from private third-party payers for infused cancer medicines are, on average, twice as much when care is provided in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) compared with physician offices (POs). In fact, the findings demonstrate that on a medication- by-medication basis, HOPDs charged up to 4.3 times more than physician offices for the same cancer treatment. Notably, the disparity is due to hospital pricing practices and not the quality of care provided or progression of the disease, according to the issue brief.

A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded increased oversight is needed to ensure nongovernmental hospitals meet 340B eligibility requirements.

Government watchdog finds lax oversight of 340B discounts

Community oncology practices hold a prominent spot in our state. They provide personalized care because physicians, nurses and other practice staff have the ability to develop ongoing relationships with their patients as they go through treatment.