§ 1395w–3a. Use of average sales price payment methodology

§ 1395w–3a. Use of average sales price payment methodology

(a) Application

(1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall apply to payment for drugs and biologicals that are described in section 1395u(o)(1)(C) of this title and that are furnished on or after January 1, 2005.

(2) Election This section shall not apply in the case of a physician who elects under subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) of section 1395w–3b of this title for that section to apply instead of this section for the payment for drugs and biologicals.

(b) Payment amount

(1) In general Subject to paragraph (7) and subsections (d)(3)(C) and (e), the amount of payment determined under this section for the billing and payment code for a drug or biological (based on a minimum dosage unit) is, subject to applicable deductible and coinsurance—

(A) in the case of a multiple source drug (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(C)), 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (3) for a multiple source drug furnished before April 1, 2008, or 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (6) for a multiple source drug furnished on or after April 1, 2008;

(B) in the case of a single source drug or biological (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(D)), 106 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (4) or in the case of such a drug or biological product that is a selected drug (as referred to in section 1320f–1(c) of this title), with respect to a price applicability period (as defined in section 1320f(b)(2) of this title), 106 percent of the maximum fair price (as defined in section 1320f(c)(3) of this title) applicable for such drug and a year during such period; or

(C) in the case of a biosimilar biological product (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(H)), the amount determined under paragraph (8).

(2) Specification of unit

(A) Specification by manufacturer The manufacturer of a drug or biological shall specify the unit associated with each National Drug Code (including package size) as part of the submission of data under section 1396r–8(b)(3)(A)(iii) of this title or subsection (f)(2), as applicable.

(B) Unit defined In this section, the term “unit” means, with respect to each National Drug Code (including package size) associated with a drug or biological, the lowest identifiable quantity (such as a capsule or tablet, milligram of molecules, or grams) of the drug or biological that is dispensed, exclusive of any diluent without reference to volume measures pertaining to liquids. For years after 2004, the Secretary may establish the unit for a manufacturer to report and methods for counting units as the Secretary determines appropriate to implement this section.

(3) Multiple source drug For all drug products included within the same multiple source drug billing and payment code, the amount specified in this paragraph is the volume-weighted average of the average sales prices reported under section 1396r–8(b)(3)(A)(iii) of this title or subsection (f)(2), as applicable, determined by—

(A) computing the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—

(i) the manufacturer’s average sales price (as defined in subsection (c)); and

(ii) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and

(B) dividing the sum determined under subparagraph (A) by the sum of the total number of units under subparagraph (A)(ii) for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug products.

(4) Single source drug or biological The amount specified in this paragraph for a single source drug or biological is the lesser of the following:

(A) Average sales price The average sales price as determined using the methodology applied under paragraph (3) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished before April 1, 2008, and using the methodology applied under paragraph (6) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished on or after April 1, 2008, for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug or biological product.

(B) Wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) The wholesale acquisition cost (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(B)) using the methodology applied under paragraph (3) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished before April 1, 2008, and using the methodology applied under paragraph (6) for single source drugs and biologicals furnished on or after April 1, 2008, for all National Drug Codes assigned to such drug or biological product.

(5) Basis for payment amount The payment amount shall be determined under this subsection based on information reported under subsection (f) and without regard to any special packaging, labeling, or identifiers on the dosage form or product or package.

(6) Use of volume-weighted average sales prices in calculation of average sales price

(A) In general For all drug products included within the same multiple source drug billing and payment code, the amount specified in this paragraph is the volume-weighted average of the average sales prices reported under section 1396r–8(b)(3)(A)(iii) of this title or subsection (f)(2), as applicable, determined by—

(i) computing the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—

(I) the manufacturer’s average sales price (as defined in subsection (c)), determined by the Secretary without dividing such price by the total number of billing units for the National Drug Code for the billing and payment code; and

(II) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and

(ii) dividing the sum determined under clause (i) by the sum of the products (for each National Drug Code assigned to such drug products) of—

(I) the total number of units specified under paragraph (2) sold; and

(II) the total number of billing units for the National Drug Code for the billing and payment code.

(B) Billing unit defined For purposes of this subsection, the term “billing unit” means the identifiable quantity associated with a billing and payment code, as established by the Secretary.

(7) Special rule Beginning with April 1, 2008, the payment amount for—

(A) each single source drug or biological described in section 1395u(o)(1)(G) of this title that is treated as a multiple source drug because of the application of subsection (c)(6)(C)(ii) is the lower of—

(i) the payment amount that would be determined for such drug or biological applying such subsection; or

(ii) the payment amount that would have been determined for such drug or biological if such subsection were not applied; and

(B) a multiple source drug described in section 1395u(o)(1)(G) of this title (excluding a drug or biological that is treated as a multiple source drug because of the application of such subsection) is the lower of—

(i) the payment amount that would be determined for such drug or biological taking into account the application of such subsection; or

(ii) the payment amount that would have been determined for such drug or biological if such subsection were not applied.

(8) Biosimilar biological product

(A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the amount specified in this paragraph for a biosimilar biological product described in paragraph (1)(C) is the sum of—

(i) the average sales price as determined using the methodology described under paragraph (6) applied to a biosimilar biological product for all National Drug Codes assigned to such product in the same manner as such paragraph is applied to drugs described in such paragraph; and

(ii) 6 percent of the amount determined under paragraph (4) for the reference biological product (as defined in subsection (c)(6)(I)).

(B) Temporary payment increase

(i) In general In the case of a qualifying biosimilar biological product that is furnished during the applicable 5-year period for such product, the amount specified in this paragraph for such product with respect to such period is the sum determined under subparagraph (A), except that clause (ii) of such subparagraph shall be applied by substituting “8 percent” for “6 percent”.

(ii) Applicable 5-year period For purposes of clause (i), the applicable 5-year period for a qualifying biosimilar biological product is—

(I) in the case of such a product for which payment was made under this paragraph as of September 30, 2022, the 5-year period beginning on October 1, 2022; and

(II) in the case of such a product for which payment is first made under this paragraph during a calendar quarter during the period beginning October 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2027, the 5-year period beginning on the first day of such calendar quarter during which such payment is first made.

(iii) Qualifying biosimilar biological product defined For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “qualifying biosimilar biological product” means a biosimilar biological product described in paragraph (1)(C) with respect to which—

(I) in the case of a product described in clause (ii)(I), the average sales price under paragraph (8)(A)(i) for a calendar quarter during the 5-year period described in such clause is not more than the average sales price under paragraph (4)(A) for such quarter for the reference biological product; and

(II) in the case of a product described in clause (ii)(II), the average sales price under paragraph (8)(A)(i) for a calendar quarter during the 5-year period described in such clause is not more than the average sales price under paragraph (4)(A) for such quarter for the reference biological product.

(c) Manufacturer’s average sales price

(1) In general For purposes of this section, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the manufacturer’s “average sales price” means, of a drug or biological for a National Drug Code for a calendar quarter for a manufacturer for a unit—

(A) the manufacturer’s sales to all purchasers (excluding sales exempted in paragraph (2)) in the United States for such drug or biological in the calendar quarter; divided by

(B) the total number of such units of such drug or biological sold by the manufacturer in such quarter.

(2) Certain sales exempted from computation In calculating the manufacturer’s average sales price under this subsection, the following sales shall be excluded:

(A) Sales exempt from best price Sales exempt from the inclusion in the determination of “best price” under section 1396r–8(c)(1)(C)(i) of this title.

(B) Sales at nominal charge Such other sales as the Secretary identifies as sales to an entity that are merely nominal in amount (as applied for purposes of section 1396r–8(c)(1)(C)(ii)(III) of this title, except as the Secretary may otherwise provide).

(3) Sale price net of discounts In calculating the manufacturer’s average sales price under this subsection, such price shall include volume discounts, prompt pay discounts, cash discounts, free goods that are contingent on any purchase requirement, chargebacks, and rebates (other than rebates under subsection (i), section 1396r–8 of this title, or section 1395w–114b of this title). For years after 2004, the Secretary may include in such price other price concessions, which may be based on recommendations of the Inspector General, that would result in a reduction of the cost to the purchaser.

(4) Payment methodology in cases where average sales price during first quarter of sales is unavailable

(A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), in the case of a drug or biological during an initial period (not to exceed a full calendar quarter) in which data on the prices for sales for the drug or biological is not sufficiently available from the manufacturer to compute an average sales price for the drug or biological, the Secretary may determine the amount payable under this section—

(i) in the case of a drug or biological furnished prior to January 1, 2019, based on—

(I) the wholesale acquisition cost; or

(II) the methodologies in effect under this part on November 1, 2003, to determine payment amounts for drugs or biologicals; and

(ii) in the case of a drug or biological furnished on or after January 1, 2019—

(I) at an amount not to exceed 103 percent of the wholesale acquisition cost; or

(II) based on the methodologies in effect under this part on November 1, 2003, to determine payment amounts for drugs or biologicals.

(B) Limitation on payment amount for biosimilar biological products during initial period In the case of a biosimilar biological product furnished on or after July 1, 2024, during the initial period described in subparagraph (A) with respect to the biosimilar biological product, the amount payable under this section for the biosimilar biological product is the lesser of the following:

(i) The amount determined under clause (ii) of such subparagraph for the biosimilar biological product.

(ii) The amount determined under subsection (b)(1)(B) for the reference biological product.

(5) Frequency of determinations

(A) In general on a quarterly basis The manufacturer’s average sales price, for a drug or biological of a manufacturer, shall be calculated by such manufacturer under this subsection on a quarterly basis. In making such calculation insofar as there is a lag in the reporting of the information on rebates and chargebacks under paragraph (3) so that adequate data are not available on a timely basis, the manufacturer shall apply a methodology based on a 12-month rolling average for the manufacturer to estimate costs attributable to rebates and chargebacks. For years after 2004, the Secretary may establish a uniform methodology under this subparagraph to estimate and apply such costs.

(B) Updates in payment amounts The payment amounts under subsection (b) shall be updated by the Secretary on a quarterly basis and shall be applied based upon the manufacturer’s average sales price calculated for the most recent calendar quarter for which data is available.

(C) Use of contractors; implementation The Secretary may contract with appropriate entities to calculate the payment amount under subsection (b). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement, by program instruction or otherwise, any of the provisions of this section.

(6) Definitions and other rules In this section:

(A) Manufacturer The term “manufacturer” means, with respect to a drug or biological, the manufacturer (as defined in section 1396r–8(k)(5) of this title), except that, for purposes of subsection (f)(2), the Secretary may, if the Secretary determines appropriate, exclude repackagers of a drug or biological from such term.

(B) Wholesale acquisition cost The term “wholesale acquisition cost” means, with respect to a drug or biological, the manufacturer’s list price for the drug or biological to wholesalers or direct purchasers in the United States, not including prompt pay or other discounts, rebates or reductions in price, for the most recent month for which the information is available, as reported in wholesale price guides or other publications of drug or biological pricing data.

(C) Multiple source drug

(i) In general The term “multiple source drug” means, for a calendar quarter, a drug for which there are 2 or more drug products which—

(I) are rated as therapeutically equivalent (under the Food and Drug Administration’s most recent publication of “Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations”),

(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), are pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as determined under subparagraph (F) and as determined by the Food and Drug Administration, and

(III) are sold or marketed in the United States during the quarter.

(ii) Exception With respect to single source drugs or biologicals that are within the same billing and payment code as of October 1, 2003, the Secretary shall treat such single source drugs or biologicals as if the single source drugs or biologicals were multiple source drugs.

(D) Single source drug or biological The term “single source drug or biological” means—

(i) a biological; or

(ii) a drug which is not a multiple source drug and which is produced or distributed under a new drug application approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including a drug product marketed by any cross-licensed producers or distributors operating under the new drug application.

(E) Exception from pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence requirement Subparagraph (C)(ii) shall not apply if the Food and Drug Administration changes by regulation the requirement that, for purposes of the publication described in subparagraph (C)(i), in order for drug products to be rated as therapeutically equivalent, they must be pharmaceutically equivalent and bioequivalent, as defined in subparagraph (F).

(F) Determination of pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence For purposes of this paragraph—

(i) drug products are pharmaceutically equivalent if the products contain identical amounts of the same active drug ingredient in the same dosage form and meet compendial or other applicable standards of strength, quality, purity, and identity; and

(ii) drugs are bioequivalent if they do not present a known or potential bioequivalence problem, or, if they do present such a problem, they are shown to meet an appropriate standard of bioequivalence.

(G) Inclusion of vaccines In applying provisions of section 1396r–8 of this title under this section, “other than a vaccine” is deemed deleted from section 1396r–8(k)(2)(B) of this title.

(H) Biosimilar biological product The term “biosimilar biological product” means a biological product approved under an abbreviated application for a license of a biological product that relies in part on data or information in an application for another biological product licensed under section 262 of this title.

(I) Reference biological product The term “reference biological product” means the biological product licensed under such section 262 of this title that is referred to in the application described in subparagraph (H) of the biosimilar biological product.

(d) Monitoring of market prices

(1) In general The Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services shall conduct studies, which may include surveys, to determine the widely available market prices of drugs and biologicals to which this section applies, as the Inspector General, in consultation with the Secretary, determines to be appropriate.