CMS finalizes payment rule for biosimilars

Rejecting criticism from biosimilars manufacturers, CMS issued a final rule that sets a single reimbursement price for all biosimilars of a given reference product covered under Medicare Part B. The rule will take effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

CMS proposed the rule in July, drawing opposition from biosimilar manufacturers, who noted biosimilars for the same reference product may not necessarily share all indications or interchangeability status and should therefore receive unique payment rates. In the rule, CMS said it did not consider how interchangeability status will factor into its final payment policy given that there are currently no interchangeable biosimilars on the market (see BioCentury Extra, July 10). ...