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Nov. 17 is National Rural Health Day, which is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of rural hospitals to patients living in remote communities. We are joined by Karen McCombs, 340B program manager for Wills Memorial Hospital in Georgia. Karen shares her tips for managing her critical access hospital’s 340B program in a compliant and efficient manner to support patient care initiatives. Before the interview, we provide updates on the 2023 Medicare payment rate for 340B drugs and on the status of 340B contract pharmacy litigation pending in federal appeals courts. 

Where Everyone Knows Your Name 

Karen provides her perspective on the unique elements of working in a rural hospital and discusses her hospital’s extensive history in its community.   

Filling in the Gaps 

Karen explains how 340B savings help her hospital offset its costs to help ensure the hospital remains open for the community. She describes one of Wills Memorial’s greatest 340B success stories and shares how the hospital has used 340B to support all its patients.

Advice for Rural Hospitals 

Rural hospitals often have smaller staffs. Karen discusses how she is the only employee at her hospital whose sole focus is 340B. She shares her framework, “Build, Research, Audit, Ask” as a model professionals can deploy to operate a successful 340B program. 

Check out all of our episodes on the 340B Insight podcast website. You also can stay updated on all 340B Health news and information by visiting our homepage. If you have any topics you’d like us to cover in this podcast, email us at [email protected].

Resources 

1. CMS Rule Provides Clarity on 2023 Pay Rates and Modifiers but Puts Off Remedies for Past Cuts
2. Appeals Court Judge Suggests HHS Might Need to Fine Drugmaker Before Lawsuit Over 340B Pricing Refusals Can Proceed
3. HRSA Events for National Rural Health Day 
4. 340B Insight Episode 61: Congressman Henry Waxman Reflects on 30 Years of 340B