Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP) Updates

The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP) brings significant changes for pharmacies in 2026, including new contracting requirements with CMS and adjustments to Medicare Part D reimbursement rates for negotiated drugs. To help you prepare, IPC’s Government Relations team is linking resources to the MDPNP resource page with key details on enrollment, compliance, and contract review. Visit the CMS Dispensing Home Page for more to ensure your pharmacy is ready for these critical updates.

• CMS – Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Resources: Click Here
• CMS – Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Frequently Asked Questions: Click Here
• Review the MTF Data Module User Agreement: Click Here
• Verify your pharmacy NCPDP Profile is accurate and updated prior to starting the enrollment process: Click Here
• Phone: 1-877-MTF-4HLP (1-877-683-4457)
• Help Desk website (Includes ticket submission and live chat features): mtf.helpdesk.cms.gov
• MTF Toolkit: Click Here

This checklist is designed to help Dispensing Entities (DEs) and Third-Party Entities (TPSE) – in most independent pharmacy cases, this is your PASO – prepare for the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) go-live on January 1, 2026. Please review and complete all applicable items to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted processing of Medicare Maximum Fair Price (MFP) refunds.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that newly negotiated “Maximum Fair Prices” for 15 high-cost drugs used to treat cancer, diabetes, and asthma; which accounted for $42.5 billion in Medicare spending, will achieve a 44% net savings of $12 billion from last year’s costs. These prices, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, follow a first round of 10 other negotiated drugs, and the combined effort is projected to generate substantial savings for Medicare beneficiaries at the pharmacy counter and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Medicare program.

Last week, NCPA hosted a “Meet Beacon MFP” session to introduce pharmacies to the Beacon app and provide guidance on participating in the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program.

If you missed the live session, you can watch the full recording here: ncpa.org/ira

In addition, CMS has released a resource for Pharmacies & Other Dispensing Entities: Frequently Asked Questions, which addresses many common questions regarding the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF).

Meet Beacon MFP – NCPA – Webinar slides – 2025

In addition to the release of the recording CMS has released a Pharmacies & Other Dispensing Entities Frequently Asked Questions. This resource has answers to most of the questions you might have around the MTF.

MTF FAQ Sept 2025

Please remember, while there is no set deadline to register for the MTF or the Beacon App, participation is required if you plan to process any of the 10 negotiated drugs in 2026. To avoid interruptions in service, make sure your pharmacy is registered before the program begins.

Instructions for registration are available in this blog post and on the official CMS website.

Register for the NCPA’s 340B Webinar on how the Inflation Reduction Act is affecting 340B Programs.

As the Inflation Reduction Act continues to reshape drug pricing and reimbursement, the 340B program finds itself in the middle of a policy snowstorm. This webinar from NCPA explores how the IRA’s provisions are impacting covered entities and contract pharmacies. Join NCPA for a walk through the latest developments, featuring insights from leading industry experts and a representative from a covered entity who will share real-world perspectives from the front lines.

Date & Time:
December 11th, 2025
1:00pm CST

CMS has released manufacturers’ effectuation plans for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. This plan will help to explain the process manufacturers are following to mitigate cashflow, provide estimate times to receive refunds and provide other information around the 10 IRA qualifying drugs.

To view this effectuation plan, click here: Download PDF

While details are still emerging, all manufacturers will use the free Beacon platform. Pharmacies must register with Beacon to access Maximum Fair Price (MFP) information, track refund claim status, and communicate with manufacturers. All manufacturers have elected to use the MTF Payment Module, which is believed to reduce administrative work for pharmacies. You will need to create an account with Beacon once you have finished enrolling in the MTF program. To get quicker payment terms through a hardship consideration, you will need to submit through the Beacon App.

Create Your Account Here (After Enrollment in the MTF): mfp.beaconchannelmanagement.com/

Below is additional information provided by NCPA at the 2025 Annual Convention regarding the MDPNP.

[NCPA What You Need to Know: Download PDF

For additional information on the Inflation Reduction Act, you can use the links above in this blog or visit the NCPA website for additional resources: ncpa.org/inflation-reduction-act-resources-and-advocacy

CMS launched the Medicare Transaction Facilitator Data Module (MTF DM) on June 9, 2025, and has been working with dispensing entities across the U.S. to enroll and onboard since.

CMS is excited to announce that all 10 manufacturers for the Initial Price Applicability Year (IPAY) 2026 selected drugs have signaled their intent to use the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) Payment Module (PM). Enrollment into the MTF DM is necessary for dispensing entities in order to ensure dispensing entities receive any applicable Maximum Fair Price (MFP) refunds (when selected drugs are dispensed) via the MTF PM starting on January 1, 2026.  CMS is in the process of reviewing the MFP Effectuation Plans submitted by each IPAY 2026 manufacturer and will be making versions of these plans available on the MTF DM in the near future; enroll in the MTF DM to ensure you have access to these plans!

CMS is committed to making sure all dispensing entities have the information and support needed to complete enrollment in the MTF DM. Enrollment ensures dispensing entities are prepared for the effectuation of the new negotiated MFPs for selected drugs covered under Medicare Part D beginning on January 1, 2026. In our continued efforts to provide supporting information to dispensing entities during the enrollment period, CMS is sharing the attached MTF DM Enrollment Toolkit.  This toolkit provides information that dispensing entities and third-party support entities need to begin the enrollment process, and links to a host of other resources CMS has made available to support dispensing entity enrollment in the MTF DM.  Don’t delay – review this toolkit and get started with your organization’s MTF enrollment today!

Help is Available: CMS has established a dedicated Help Desk to provide technical support throughout the enrollment process. The Help Desk is available from 7 AM to 7:30 PM EST, Monday – Friday, excluding federal holidays.

• Phone: 1-877-MTF-4HLP (1-877-683-4457)
• Help Desk website (Includes ticket submission and live chat features): mtf.helpdesk.cms.gov