Pharmaceutical representatives testified before Congress earlier this month about the administrative burden placed on long term care providers, particularly nursing homes, by Medicare Part D, the new prescription drug program. They also said providers are losing money because of the program. The new drug program was created to give seniors more choices, but it seems to be offering conflicting and confusing choices. For example, Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance executive director Paul Baldwin … [Read more...] about Medicare Part D Costly and Burdensome for Nursing Home Providers
Survey: Pharmaceutical Companies Should Help Educate on Medicare Part D
Verispan, a health care research company, has issued the results of a spring 2006 survey of long term care providers. According to the survey, 94 percent of long term care providers expect pharmaceutical companies to help educate prescribers about Medicare's new prescription drug plan, and 54 percent said they expect companies to help educate patients. (Source) Long term care providers suggested several ways pharmaceutical companies can educate them about the plan, including webcasts, online … [Read more...] about Survey: Pharmaceutical Companies Should Help Educate on Medicare Part D
Provider Letter: Special Enrollment; New Dual Eligibles
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is extending the Medicare Part D prescription drug program enrollment period for Hurricane Katrina victims, according to a June 20 DADS provider letter to community services providers. Beneficiaries who lived in "designated parishes and counties" when the hurricane hit will have until December 31, 2006, to enroll. CMS also released information for new dual eligible beneficiaries. You may download PDF copies all related letters and documents … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: Special Enrollment; New Dual Eligibles
Congress and Medicare
Congress probably won't act on Medicare legislation until after the August recess and may end up waiting until after the elections, according to The Hill. One of the pending Medicare bills is a proposal to eliminate late fees for beneficiaries who didn't sign up for the Medicare prescription drug plan before the May 15 deadline, which I blogged about here. Medical News Today has a round up of news links. In other Medicare news, an "independent expert panel" concluded that enrollment of … [Read more...] about Congress and Medicare
Long Term Care Providers Join Coalition to Eliminate Co-Payments
A group of long term care providers is calling for the elimination of Medicare Part D co-payments for patients "in certain homes" who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The National Center For Assisted Living and the American Health Care Association, which represent long term care providers, believe that beneficiaries receiving care in certain assisted living facilities and group homes who can't afford co-payments are adversely affected. From the Senior Journal: Under Part D, … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Join Coalition to Eliminate Co-Payments
Politicians Push to Eliminate Medicare Drug Penalty
The deadline to sign up for Medicare's prescription drug program has come and gone, but a bipartisan group of politicians is pushing to eliminate the late fee for beneficiaries who missed the deadline. The next open enrollment period begins in November. (Kaiser Network) Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt wants Congress to wait until final enrollment numbers are determined before passing the legislation. I agree. The proposed legislation would cost taxpayers $18 … [Read more...] about Politicians Push to Eliminate Medicare Drug Penalty
GAO Report: Medicare Reps Give Bad Information
According to a new report (PDF) by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), customer service representatives at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) often give inaccurate information to beneficiaries, and CMS documents are needlessly complicated, loaded with technical jargon. GAO investigators called CMS operators while posing as beneficiaries. According to the report's abstract, representatives gave correct responses 90 percent of the time when asked about eligibility. … [Read more...] about GAO Report: Medicare Reps Give Bad Information
CMS Nixes Medicare Deadline Extension
Leslie Norwalk, deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), said unequivocally that extending the Medicare prescription drug program deadline is "legally not permissible." The deadline for enrolling in the program is May 15. Under exceptional circumstances, however, CMS allows additional time without penalty. From a Kaiser Network report: Under a new policy announced this month, CMS will allow "ongoing" enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Nixes Medicare Deadline Extension
New Jersey Democrats Ask For Medicare Drug Extension
As many of you may know, May 15 is the deadline for beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare's new prescription drug program. I've blogged about the controversial drug plan several times. According to some news stories, the plan is confusing to doctors, providers, and beneficiaries. According to others, beneficiaries aren't as confused about the plan as politicians claim. U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (pictured) and Robert Menendez of New Jersey are calling for an extension of the May 15 deadline … [Read more...] about New Jersey Democrats Ask For Medicare Drug Extension
Market Forces Lower Prescription Drug Prices
According to Mike Leavitt, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, prescription drug prices have dropped, thanks to "market forces." (Medical News Today) So capitalism works? Excellent news! President Bush must have had the right idea by injecting competition into Medicare's prescription drug program, the same one that people say is confusing. According to a survey conducted by America's Health Insurance Plans, however, the plan is not so confusing after all. From the … [Read more...] about Market Forces Lower Prescription Drug Prices
