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A late-term maneuver by President Donald Trump to use lower drug prices paid overseas to limit some of Medicare's own costs suffered a legal setback Wednesday that appears likely to keep the policy from taking effect before the president leaves office. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake in Baltimore issued a nationwide injunction that prevents the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, from carrying out the so-called "most favored nations" rule as scheduled on Jan. 1. The judge wrote in her temporary order that CMS had failed to follow required procedures for notice and comment before imposing such sweeping changes. (Alonso-Zaldivar, 12/23)

While the holiday season often brings a lull in action in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere, 2020's was quite different. On the drug pricing front, a major effort by the Trump administration to cut Medicare prices has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. The president's "most favored nation" clause, which aims to tie drug prices in Medicare to lower prices abroad, has hit an early setback as a federal judge in Maryland ruled the administration didn't give the public a chance to weigh in, Reuters reports. The new rule was set to start on January 1, but Judge Catherine Blake ruled the executive order was rushed unlawfully, according to the news service. (Saganowsky, 1/4)

Michigan hospitals have started revealing the once-secret prices they negotiate with insurance companies to comply with a new Trump administration rule aimed at making health care more affordable and prices more transparent. The rules took effect Jan. 1 and require all hospitals nationwide to immediately publish their negotiated rates with insurers in two formats: a "consumer-friendly" list or online cost estimator with at least 300 common services and procedures, and a giant data file with rates for nearly all procedures and insurance plans. Hospitals that fail to comply with both disclosures can be fined up to $300 per day. As of Tuesday, many, although not all, southeast Michigan hospitals appear to be in compliance. (Reindl, 1/6)

Drugmakers including Pfizer, Sanofi, and GlaxoSmithKline plan to raise US prices on more than 300 drugs in the United States on Jan. 1, according to drugmakers and data analyzed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors. The hikes come as drugmakers are reeling from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced doctor visits and demand for some drugs. They are also fighting new drug price cutting rules from the Trump administration, which would reduce the industry’s profitability. (12/31)

Whether paying full price or using a Medicare prescription plan, many seniors are living with a medical condition that requires maintenance medications. This means their monthly budget is forever impacted. How drug companies price medications then becomes inherently important. However, when it comes to prescription drug prices, things are not always what they seem. Drug manufacturers incorporate a few practices consumers should be aware of when it comes to medications. (Gurbikian and Forbes Finance Council, 12/29)

Prices of branded glaucoma medications increased in the U.S. over the past 7 years, according to a study published in the Journal of Glaucoma. “Reducing IOP is the only proven method to treat glaucoma, and the most common way to achieve this is with topical drugs,” Edward Barayev, MD, MHA, Rabin Medical Center, and colleagues wrote. “Previous studies have found that patients with lower adherence rates had a higher risk of developing severe visual field changes. ... High costs could result in less frequent medication purchases and lead to lower medication adherence.” (Burba, 1/4)

As happens every time the calendar flips to a new year, Medicare cost adjustments are about to take effect. This generally means paying more for some parts of your coverage, effective Jan. 1.For Medicare’s 63 million beneficiaries — most of whom are 65 or older — certain costs change year to year and can affect premiums, deductibles and other cost-sharing. While the upward adjustments don’t necessarily involve huge dollar amounts, they can add up. (O'Brien, 12/25)