New data from the summer Vizient Spend Management Outlook show that in the inpatient space, high-cost drugs, especially CAR-T treatments like Yescarta and Breyanzi are major drivers of drug spend. To help offset these costs, certain therapies may qualify for additional reimbursement through the New Technology Add-On payment (NTAP), a program that supports innovations that substantially improve care for Medicare beneficiaries. Carolyn Liptak, Pharmacy Executive Director at the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence joins host Stacy Lauderdale, Associate Vice President of Evidence-Based Medicine and Drug Information at Vizient to cover the purpose of this add-on payment, the criteria necessary for drugs to qualify and strategies to capture its full value.   Guest Speaker: Carolyn Liptak, MBA, RPh Pharmacy Executive Director Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence Host: Stacy Lauderdale, PharmD, BCP  Associate Vice President Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Verified Rx Host    Show Notes:  [01:02-03:38] Overview of NTAP and why CMS created the program [03:39-05:02] How DRG recalibration depends on broad adoption [05:03-07:17] Criteria for medications to quality for NTAP status [07:18-08:24] Who determines whether a therapy represents substantial clinical improvement [08:25-10:05] The value NTAP provides to hospitals [10:06-11:51] How to locate products that are eligible for NTAP [11:52-16:22] Best practices to ensure that NTAP payment is captured when the drug is used [16:23-17:22] Resources for additional information   Links | Resources:  Payment Updates: Preparing for 2026 - On Demand New Medical Services and New Technologies  FY 2026 IPPS Final Rule Home Page  MAC Implementation File 8 (ZIP) – FY 2026 New Technology Add-on Payment  CMS Web Pricer    Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS Feed