Aetna, CVS Health, CVS Pharmacy and other defendants were hit with an antitrust class action on Sept. 26 in Washington Western District Court. The complaint, filed by the Terrell Marshall Law Group; Berger Montague; and Cohen & Gresser, contends that CVS Caremark denies independent pharmacies access to its network of Medicare part D beneficiaries unless the pharmacies agree to pay exorbitant 'Direct and Indirect Remuneration' (DIR) fees. According to the suit, a published 2021 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission report identified a 33 percent increase in 2020 levels for DIR fees, estimating approximately $12.6 billion in costs. Counsel have not yet appeared for the defendants. The case is 2:23-cv-01500, Osterhaus Pharmacy Inc v. CVS Health Corporation.
Health Care
September 27, 2023, 4:40 AM