Eric Hartkopf, PharmD | PAAS National

About Eric Hartkopf, PharmD

As an Analyst, I focus on providing pre- and post-audit assistance, answering various member service questions, and researching & drafting articles for the Third-Party Newsline. I work with many of our members involved with invoice audits.

I obtained my PharmD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy and worked for a major chain as well as various LTC and independent pharmacies, before coming to PAAS.

I am passionate about learning and teaching. I strive to learn something new about PBM audits every day, so that PAAS can be more knowledgeable to better serve our members! In 2018, I started traveling to state pharmacy conferences to present audit seminars and meet our wonderful members in person.

Entries by Eric Hartkopf, PharmD

Caremark Aberrant Practices and Trends – Enforcement Extends Beyond the Aberrant Product List

March 20, 2025

PAAS National^®® analysts have worked with numerous pharmacies who have received communications related to Caremark’s proprietary Aberrant Product List or other alleged Atypical Dispensing Patterns. These letters are driven by Caremark’s Provider Manual section 3.02.03 which was expanded in 2022 as discussed in the Newsline article, Caremark® Expands “Aberrant” Language & Restricts Bulk Purchases. These letters fall into two different categories:

Electronic Prescription Fraud

March 1, 2025

Most community pharmacy employees know the “red flags” to spot a fraudulent written prescription such as it “looks too good”, has irregular quantities and instructions, different color ink or handwriting, and doesn’t follow the typical medical shorthand. Unfortunately, it is much harder to spot a fraudulent electronic prescription. The bad guys are now using sophisticated […]

Best Practices for Out-of-Stock Medications

February 14, 2025

PAAS National^®® analysts continue to see pharmacies struggle with invoice audits, which are most frequently performed by Caremark® and OptumRx®. If you’re not a member of PAAS’ FWA/HIPAA compliance program, contact us today at (608) 873-1342 or info@paasnational.com to add the program for a discounted rate.

Oral-Only ESRD Drugs Removed from Medicare Part D Coverage in 2025

February 11, 2025

Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare Part D no longer covers “oral-only” medications used for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis treatment. This mainly impacts payment of phosphate binders such as PhosLo® (calcium acetate) and Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate), as well as Xphozah® (tenapor).

Caremark Bulk Purchase Notification

January 30, 2025

Did you make any “bulk purchases” of inventory in December 2024? If so, then you must act now to protect against a Caremark invoice audit that could happen in 2026!

Compound Supplier Medisca Pays $21.75 Million Over Inflated AWPs

January 10, 2025

The Department of Justice recently announced that Medisca Inc. will pay $21.75 million to settle allegations of fraud involving inflated Average Wholesale Prices (AWPs) for two ingredients used in compound prescriptions – resveratrol and mometasone furoate. The government alleges that the scheme caused pharmacies to submit false claims to federal healthcare programs, including TRICARE and […]

NADAC Survey: What is It and Do I Need to Respond?

December 4, 2024

Pharmacies that receive a National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) Survey frequently contact PAAS National^®® for information and guidance. While this survey remains voluntary, pharmacies may want to take a minute to understand what the survey is about.

U.S. Government Alleges Counterfeit HIV Drugs Hiding in Pharmacy-to-Pharmacy Purchases

November 6, 2024

PAAS National^® previously alerted pharmacies to a large-scale counterfeit HIV medication scam in our April 2022 article Know Your Distributors: Gilead Confiscates Phony HIV Medication where criminal enterprises routed black market and counterfeit HIV medications through the secondary wholesaler market (the 2022 Gilead lawsuit is referred to as Gilead I). In a new lawsuit filed …

Walgreens $107 Million Settlement for False Claims Act Violations

November 4, 2024

A recent Department of Justice press release outlined a settlement with Walgreens for nearly $107 million for False Claims Act violations related to claims billed to government programs that were never dispensed.

Audit Risks: Medication Home Delivery

October 19, 2024

Many independent pharmacies offer unique services to their patients, such as house charge accounts and medication delivery, to provide a better customer experience.