Survey of People with Disabilities November 30, 2003 Poll Finding People with disabilities are at risk in the health-care system because of their wide-ranging health-care needs, their relatively heavy use of prescription drugs, health-care and support services, and typically low incomes. A new survey of people with permanent mental and/or physical disabilities explores their health-care experiences and challenges in accessing…
Shifting the Cost of Dual Eligibles: Implications for States and the Federal Government October 31, 2003 Issue Brief This issue paper provides state-level estimates on spending on dual eligibles and illustrates the fiscal effects of scenarios where the federal government assumes the cost of prescription drugs, Medicare premiums, acute care, and long-term care for this population.Issue Paper (.pdf)
Prescription Drugs: Advertising, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Patient Safety from the Perspective of Doctors and Pharmacists October 30, 2006 Poll Finding Prescription Drugs: Advertising, Out-of-Pocket Costs, and Patient Safety from the Perspective of Doctors and Pharmacists This document highlights additional findings from separate surveys of pharmacists and physicians related to their views and experiences on a wide range of health care issues. Issue Brief (.pdf)
The Landscape of Private Firms Offering Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage in 2006 February 28, 2006 Issue Brief describes key characteristics of the organizations that offer the new Medicare drug benefit and analyzes how companies are positioning themselves to attract Medicare enrollees.• Seven of the 10 organizations that sponsor stand-alone prescription drug plans nationwide are based in commercial insurance firms with substantial Medicare Advantage experience, and three of…
Prescription Drug Procurement and the Federal Budget May 8, 2012 Issue Brief This brief commissioned by the Foundation considers areas where Medicare faces limited opportunity for market-based competition and price negotiation to drive down drug spending. These areas include drug purchasing for low-income people enrolled in Part D plans who face minimal cost-sharing requirements, and purchasing certain unique drugs, such as biologicals,…
March/April 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report – Toplines April 1, 2005 Poll Finding Health News Index March/April, 2005 The March/April Kaiser Health Poll Report featured topic explores the public’s views on the Medicare prescription drug benefit. This featured topic covers the historical perspective from before the law was passed as well as current views and understanding of the benefit, including how seniors are…
Retiree Health Benefits Now and In the Future – Chartpack December 31, 2003 Report This chartpack (charts used at the briefing releasing this survey), from the survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003, provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large…
Summary of Low-Income Subsidy Program in Final Medicare Bill November 30, 2003 Fact Sheet This one page document summarizes the provisions in the new Medicare law that deal with providing financial subsidies to low-income beneficiaries for their drug coverage.Issue Paper (.pdf)
Coordinating Medicaid and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Findings from a Focus Group Discussion with Medicaid Directors October 31, 2003 Report This publication reports on the findings from an October 26 focus group discussion with state Medicaid officials on the implications of a Medicare drug benefit for states and dual eligibles.Report (.pdf)
Beneficiary Challenges in Using the Medicare Part D Appeals Process To Obtain Medically Necessary Drugs September 1, 2006 Issue Brief This paper describes the various steps of the Medicare Part D appeals process for obtaining necessary drugs not on a plan’s formulary. Using case reports collected from a network of beneficiary advocates, it illustrates the challenges and problems some beneficiaries encountered when navigating this aspect of the drug benefit. The…