The Challenge
Novartis Pharmaceuticals was concerned about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’s (CMS) decision that would limit the availability of one of its therapies. Before finalizing its decision, CMS agreed to hold a Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) hearing on the issue. At the public hearing, which took place in front of the MCAC, an independent panel of experts, interested parties and the public were invited to testify and submit written comments. Novartis sought IDI’s help in recruiting and mobilizing supportive third party voices to deliver their messages both at the hearing and to key influentials at Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS and on Capitol Hill. At the time IDI was approached for help, only three weeks remained until the hearing.

IDI’s Solution
IDI realized that the CMS decision had serious negative implications for both the client and the public and worked quickly to generate third party support. IDI’s task was to recruit a wide variety of national, well-established disability, consumer, senior, minority and healthcare organizations to support expanded Medicare coverage for their therapy. It was very important to Novartis that organizations not only submit written testimony but also get engaged in the effort by attending the hearing and publicly testifying.

IDI created a target list of select organizations and developed fact sheets highlighting the negative impact CMS’s decision would have on consumers. IDI’s experience with many of these organizations allowed us to move very quickly in approaching them and securing their participation.

The Results
In just three weeks, IDI was able to secure written testimony from 15 well-respected national organizations and public testimony from eight leaders of key national organizations. In addition, the third party grasstops campaign delivered more than 40 letters to HHS, CMS and the Hill, greatly exceeding client expectations and putting intense pressure on CMS. In the end, IDI’s efforts to generate influential third party support helped get CMS to overturn its decision and expand Medicare coverage – a win for Novartis and the general public.

Services Provided

• Strategic Alliances
• Issues Management