Tara enjoys working with managed care organizations, pharmaceutical services providers such as PBMs, and integrated delivery systems, and companies that invest in them, on matters relating to compliance with federal health care program regulations, federal and state fraud, waste and abuse laws and plan benefits.
She works closely with Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) and Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors, including Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs), and first tier and downstream entities to address regulatory and compliance matters that arise as a result of participating in Medicare Parts C and D. Tara often advises clients on matters relating to plan bids, medical loss ratio reporting, drug pricing in both Medicare Part B and Part D and direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) reporting. She regularly counsels clients regarding risk adjustment systems and practices needed to support them. Tara also actively engages with CMS on behalf of clients on many matters.
She also works closely with discount medical and pharmacy plan operators (DMPOs) on matters relating to compliance with state laws and provider contracting.
Tara uses her substantive day-to-day compliance experience to assist clients in litigation matters and transactions.
Tara has extensive experience preparing and negotiating complex services agreements for and between MAOs, providers, PBMs, pharmacies, wholesalers, manufacturers, and DMPOs.
viewpoints
Mintz IRA Update — Inaugural Edition
September 20, 2023 | Blog | By Theresa Carnegie, Tara E. Dwyer, Mitchell Clough, Xavier Hardy, Stephnie John, Bridgette Keller, Lauren Moldawer, Pat Ouellette, Hassan Shaikh
CMS Releases Draft Part One Guidance on the Maximum Monthly Cap on Cost-Sharing Payments Program to Part D Plans
September 7, 2023 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer, Lauren Moldawer
Most of the recent focus around the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by the press and the industry has been on the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program and its potential impact on manufacturers. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been regularly releasing guidance regarding IRA-related changes that Part D plan sponsors had to implement for 2023 and in future years. CMS recently released guidance (Part One Guidance) on the Maximum Monthly Cap on Cost-Sharing Payments Program or the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Program (previously referred to as the “OOP Smoothing Program”). The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Program (the Program) will require Part D plans (PDPs) to make significant operational and system changes to meet its requirements. Many questions remain regarding the Program.
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MintzRx Newsletter — Your Prescription for the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
October 3, 2022 | Article | By Theresa Carnegie, Tara E. Dwyer, Xavier Hardy, Stephnie John, Bridgette Keller, Lauren Moldawer, Pat Ouellette, Hassan Shaikh
MintzRx is a regular newsletter providing you with everything you need to know to stay abreast of the legal, regulatory, and industry developments across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
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New York Establishes First Pharmacy Benefits Bureau in the Nation as Registration and Annual Reporting Deadlines for Pharmacy Benefit Managers Approach
May 25, 2022 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer, Cody Keetch, Jean D. Mancheno
On May 11, 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of the Department of Financial Services’ Pharmacy Benefits Bureau. Governor Hochul noted that the Pharmacy Benefits Bureau is the first of its kind in the country. The Pharmacy Benefits Bureau will be tasked with implementing and overseeing new licensing and reporting requirements impacting Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in New York. This blog post provides an analysis of the intended purpose of the Pharmacy Benefits Bureau and an overview of the new PBM guidance from the Department of Financial Services.
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Health Law Diagnosed — Transactions Part 2: The Role of Health Regulatory Diligence and How to Prepare for a Sell-Side Transaction
March 24, 2022 | Podcast | By Tara E. Dwyer, Xavier Hardy, Bridgette Keller, Lauren Moldawer, Cassandra Paolillo, Kate Stewart
Supreme Court Holds that ERISA Does Not Preempt Arkansas PBM Law: The Impact on Employer Sponsored Group Health Plans
December 31, 2020 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
In a recently decided case, Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) does not preempt an Arkansas statute that regulates reimbursement levels paid by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to local pharmacies.
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Post-Election 2020 - Health Care Preview
November 23, 2020 | Blog | By Alexander Hecht, Anthony DeMaio, Tara E. Dwyer
With the presidential transition underway, we now look forward to what the Biden administration will seek to accomplish, particularly in the realm of health care policy.
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CMS Proposes Significant Changes to Medicare Advantage & Part D for 2021 and Beyond, Part 2: CMS Proposes to Codify Supplemental Benefit Rules and Update MLR
February 25, 2020 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer, Lauren Moldawer
As a continuation of our series on the Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program (the “Proposed Rule”) released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) earlier this month, this blog focuses on CMS’s codification of its recent guidance on supplemental benefits, including guidance on Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (“SSBCI”). It also discusses CMS’s proposed changes to the medical loss ratio (“MLR”) to account for changes in supplemental benefits.
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CMS Proposes Significant Changes to Medicare Advantage & Part D for 2021 and Beyond, Part 1: Updates to the Star Rating System and Suspension of the Past Performance Methodology
February 13, 2020 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer, Lauren Moldawer
In CMS’s recently released proposed rule (the Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) (the “Proposed Rule”) and supplemental HPMS memos, CMS is proposing several significant changes to its star rating system and to its methodology for reviewing plan past performance. This blog post highlights the key details of the proposed changes to the star rating system and past performance methodology and their potential impact on Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
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CMS Proposes Significant Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D for 2021 and Beyond
February 7, 2020 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
This week, the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule (the Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), the 2021 Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (Part II), and multiple Health Plan Management System (HPMS) memos and notices covering topics including Medicare Advantage (MA) benefits, Medicare Part D bidding, and suspension of its Past Performance Review Methodology.
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News & Press
Lawsuits, Tax Fuel Doubt As Medicare Preps Drug Pricing Talks
August 25, 2023
Member Tara Dwyer spoke to Bloomberg Law and discussed potential roadblocks delaying Medicare's plans for negotiating lower drug prices.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
'Many Legal Challenges' Loom As HHS Inks $4.7B Audit Rule
January 30, 2023
Mintz Member Tara Dwyer was quoted in Law360 examining the release of a Health and Human Services rule which prompted backlash and predictions of litigation.
Mintz Member Tara Dwyer was quoted in a Bloomberg Government article on the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package and reconciliation bill, which would be paid for in part by delaying a controversial rebate rule – a rule which pharmacy benefit managers and insurers are in stiff opposition to.
Supreme Court Holds that ERISA Does Not Preempt Arkansas PBM Law: The Impact on Employer Sponsored Health Plans
February 5, 2021
Mintz Member and Chair of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Alden J. Bianchi and Member Tara E. Dwyer co-authored an article published by Bloomberg Tax & Accounting’s Compensation Planning Journal examining the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, holding that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) does not preempt an Arkansas statute that regulates reimbursement levels paid by Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to local pharmacies, and its impact on employer-sponsored group health plans.
Drug Intermediaries Threaten Lawsuits to Preserve Cut of Prices
November 23, 2020
In an article published by Bloomberg Law, Mintz Member Tara E. Dwyer was quoted on the Trump administration’s proposed final rule, which is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget, that would end legal shields for drug rebates.
Mintz Practice Groups and Attorneys Garner Top Rankings in 2020 Edition of The Legal 500 United States
June 12, 2020
In the latest guide, Mintz garnered rankings as a top national firm in eight practice areas, and 32 firm attorneys were individually recognized.
Proposed changes to Medicare Advantage audits could put insurers on the hook for billions
October 29, 2018
This feature article discusses a potentially significant change proposed to Medicare Advantage audits by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Health Law Member Tara Dwyer is among the industry sources quoted in the story providing commentary.
Mintz Promotes Six Attorneys to Member
May 23, 2018
Mintz is pleased to announce that eight attorneys have been named Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers for 2018 and three others have been named Washington, D.C. Rising Stars. The annual publication identifies lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Mintz is advising a consortium of investors led by TPG Capital and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe in their acquisition of Kindred Healthcare, Inc. The definitive agreement totals approximately $4.1 billion in cash including the assumption or repayment of net debt.
Eight Mintz attorneys have been named Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers for 2017 and four have been named Washington, D.C. Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in The Washington Post Magazine and in a stand-alone magazine, Washington D.C. Super Lawyers Magazine.
Seven Mintz attorneys have been named Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers for 2015 and five have been named Washington, D.C. Rising Stars. The list will be published in a special advertising supplement in Washington Post Magazine and in a stand-alone Washington D.C. Super Lawyers Magazine.
Events & Speaking
Panelist
Oct
12
2022
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Summit on Medicare Advantage
American Conference Institute
Nashville, TN
Speaker
Speaker
May
8
2018
3rd Annual Mintz /ML Strategies Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Industry Summit
Mintz and ML Strategies
Boston, MA
Speaker
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Recognition & Awards
- Best Lawyers in America: Health Care (2024)
- Included on the Washington DC Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Health Care list (2016 - 2021)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Healthcare: Service Providers (2019-2020)
- Order of the Coif
- ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law
Recent Insights
Mintz IRA Update — Inaugural Edition
September 20, 2023 |Blog
Member Tara Dwyer spoke to Bloomberg Law and discussed potential roadblocks delaying Medicare's plans for negotiating lower drug prices.
