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  • Issue Briefs Describe Changes in Private Plan Market and Effects on Medicare Beneficiaries

    Issue Brief

    These two issue briefs describe the different types of private plan options available to people on Medicare, identify key characteristics of the organizations offering the new Medicare drug benefit, and analyze how companies are positioning themselves to attract Medicare enrollees. The Growth of Private Plans in Medicare, 2006 The Landscape of Private Firms Offering Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage in 2006

  • The New Medicare Drug Benefit:  Potential Effects of Pharmacy Management Tools on Access to Medications

    Issue Brief

    The New Medicare Drug Benefit: Potential Effects of Pharmacy Management Tools on Access to Medications This report describes the pharmacy benefit management tools that will be available to private plans administering the new Medicare drug benefit, including formularies, the definition of categories and classes, and cost sharing requirements. The authors conclude that substantial flexibility given to plans to design management tools could have significant implications for beneficiaries’ access to needed medications and out-of-pocket spending. Issue…

  • The Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health Medicare Prescription Drug Survey – Chartpack

    Report

    This chartpack is part of a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health that examines public opinion on the Medicare prescription drug debate. The survey, a follow-up to a broader, more comprehensive survey released in June 2003 about the Medicare program and proposed changes, finds that a majority of seniors want Congress to pass Medicare prescription drug legislation this year, but most worry that they will still pay too much…

  • Toplines: December 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report

    Poll Finding

    Toplines: December 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report These toplines provide the complete survey questions and responses to the December 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report Survey, a bimonthly survey designed to provide key tracking information on public opinion about health care topics. The survey includes a series of questions on seniors' views of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Survey Toplines (.pdf)

  • The Obama Administration’s 2010 Call Letter for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: Implications for Beneficiaries

    Issue Brief

    On March 30, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the 2010 “call letter,” which functions as a request for proposals to private health insurers and organizations that want to sponsor Medicare Advantage Plans or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. This issue brief reviews the call letter — the first issued by the Obama Administration — and examines the implications for beneficiaries of some of the proposed changes, including its emphasis on accountability of health plan sponsors, promoting…

  • A Prescription Drug Benefit in Medicare: Implications for Medicaid and Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries

    Issue Brief

    The Senate and House of Representatives each approved legislation in June of 2003 that would establish outpatient prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries as part of Medicare program reform. Among the key differences in the House and Senate bills that still must be addressed are the treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries and the structure of low-income subsidy programs. The way in which these issues are resolved will have major implications for Medicaid beneficiaries, other low-income individuals,…

  • The “Clawback:” State Financing of Medicare Drug Coverage

    Issue Brief

    This issue paper describes the origins of the clawback, the formula by which each state’s clawback amount is calculated, and the clawback’s implications for states and for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Issue Paper (.pdf)

  • March/April 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report – Toplines

    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 getting information about this plan, whether they think they have enough information and whether or not they plan to enroll. Additionally, the featured topic explores…

  • Consumer Protection Issues Raised by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003

    Report

    This paper identifies and examines consumer protection issues that arise from the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. Key issue areas include: beneficiary information, marketing, enrollment and disenrollment, the drug benefit package and cost-sharing, the appeals process, concerns for low-income beneficiaries, challenges for nursing home issues, and fraud and abuse. Report (.pdf)