Hwang TJ, et al. - The researchers intended to discuss the price rise of protected-class drugs in Medicare Part D relative to inflation from 2012-2017. For transplant subjects, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had acknowledged enabling higher flexibility in excluding coverage by Medicare Part D for medicines in 6 currently “protected” classes, ie, antineoplastics, antiretrovirals, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and immunosuppressants, in recent years. However, CMS and insurers have disputed that the protected-class policy needing coverage for substantially all drugs which do not apply to commercial payers—hindered efficient price negotiations by Medicare Part D plans and offered to raise prescription drug costs.