|
|
Article: To address Medicare Part D confusion, states take matters into their own hands; CMS heeds call.
- Article from:
- Healthcare Financial Management
- Article date:
- March 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Healthcare Financial Management Association. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Start-up problems with the new Medicare Part D program have angered enrollees, frustrated pharmacists, and engendered legislative action in 31 states and the District of Columbia since the program took effect Jan. 1. The problems mainly relate to drug plan enrollment records--that is, coverage records not being available at the pharmacy, or enrollees being charged excess copayments. Of the states that have taken emergency or transitional action, most are temporarily covering prescription drugs for Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligibles and other Medicare enrollees.
As of Jan. 13, 14.3 million beneficiaries were covered by the Medicare Part D program. Medicare is ...