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
In Proposed Regulations CMS Requests Information on Changes to Part D Negotiated Prices
January 16, 2018 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
Azar's Nomination Hearing Highlights Medicare Negotiation of Part B Drug Prices
January 10, 2018 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
Proposed Medicare Advantage and Part D Regulations for CY 2019 - CMS Tries to Clarify Any Willing Pharmacy Rules
November 29, 2017 | Blog | By Lauren Moldawer, Tara E. Dwyer
Proposed Medicare Advantage and Part D Regulations for CY 2019 - CMS Takes Aim at Drug Prices
November 27, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
CMS Releases CY 2019 Proposed Rule for Medicare Advantage and Part D
November 20, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
CMS Completes Final Medicare Part D Reconciliation for 2016
October 11, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
CMS Releases the Final Medicare Part D DIR Reporting Requirements for 2016
June 26, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
CMS Releases the Proposed Part D DIR Reporting Requirements for 2016
May 18, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
California Advances PBM Licensing and “Transparency” Law
April 25, 2017 | Blog | By Theresa Carnegie, Tara E. Dwyer
C-THRU’s Proposed Changes to Negotiated Prices – A Demonstration of the Part D Program’s Complexities and Misunderstandings
March 29, 2017 | Blog | By Tara E. Dwyer
News & Press
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
PBM Takeaways From Proposed Telehealth Flexibility Bill
June 18, 2024
Mintz announced today that 42 of its practices and 83 of its attorneys earned recognition in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, a guide to the country’s leading law firms. Of those included in the guide, 18 attorneys and seven practice areas were awarded Chambers’ highest ranking, Band 1. The firm obtained new listings in three practice areas and 10 of its lawyers were recognized for the first time.
Mintz Facilitates $3.7 Billion Deal For The Cigna Group
January 31, 2024
The Cigna Health Group signed a deal selling its Medicare businesses to Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) for $3.7 billion. A Mintz team led by Tara Dwyer and Lauren Moldawer acted as regulatory counsel to The Cigna Group on the sale. In the deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, HCSC will acquire Cigna’s Medicare lines including Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and Medicare drug plans, as well as CareAllies, a unit that works with physician groups and other healthcare providers.
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.
Supreme Court Holds that ERISA Does Not Preempt Arkansas PBM Law: The Impact on Employer Sponsored Health Plans
February 5, 2021
Drug Intermediaries Threaten Lawsuits to Preserve Cut of Prices
November 23, 2020
Mintz Practice Groups and Attorneys Garner Top Rankings in 2020 Edition of The Legal 500 United States
June 12, 2020
Proposed changes to Medicare Advantage audits could put insurers on the hook for billions
October 29, 2018
Mintz Promotes Six Attorneys to Member
May 23, 2018
Events & Speaking
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Summit on Medicare Advantage
American Conference Institute
Nashville, TN
3rd Annual Mintz /ML Strategies Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Industry Summit
Mintz and ML Strategies
Boston, MA
Recognition & Awards
Best Lawyers in America: Health Care (2024, 2025)
Chambers USA: District of Columbia – Healthcare (2024)
Included on the Washington DC Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Health Care list (2016 - 2021)
The Legal 500 United States for Healthcare: Service Providers (2019-2020, 2024)
Order of the Coif
ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law