Grassley Bill Puts Spotlight on Medical Device Pricing

A Senate bill would require devicemakers to report average and median sales prices for implantable devices as a condition for receiving payment from federal and state health plans.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who introduced S. 2221, the Transparency in Medical Device Pricing Act of 2007, Oct. 23, said it will ensure devicemakers aren’t overcharging for implantable devices covered by federal and state healthcare programs.

The bill would require manufacturers — as a condition of receiving direct or indirect payments under Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program — to submit data on average and median sales prices for implantable medical devices used in inpatient and outpatient procedures.