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This fact sheet, updated in April 2003, profiles current sources of prescription drug coverage among the Medicare population, describes the characteristics of beneficiaries who lack drug coverage and the implications of being without such coverage, and provides current data on prescription drug use and spending. Fact Sheet (.pdf)
Understanding the Health-Care Needs and Experiences of People with Disabilities: Findings from a 2003 Survey 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 and paying for care. Report (.pdf) Chartpack, video, press release,…
Potential changes in mail service delivery could be a concern for people who receive prescription drugs from mail-order pharmacies. To understand who may be most affected by delays in the delivery of prescription drugs, we analyzed use of mail order in Medicare Part D and large group employer plans, and identified the therapeutic classes and specific drugs with the highest volume of fills by mail-order pharmacies in each market.
This report, Reactions to the New Medicare Drug Law, produced jointly by a bipartisan team of pollsters from Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, presents key findings from ten focus groups of people on Medicare in three cities: Pittsburgh, PA; Kansas City, KS, and Washington, DC. The focus groups explored knowledge, perceptions, and early experiences with the new Medicare drug law – both the Medicare-approved drug discount card and the drug benefit…
After taking a negative turn in October, the public’s overall views on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) returned to a more mixed status this month. Still, Americans remain somewhat more likely to have an unfavorable view of the law (44 percent) than a favorable one (37 percent). The Kaiser Family Foundation's November Health Tracking Poll also finds that individual elements of the law are viewed favorably by a majority of the public. The law’s…
The Medicare Part D program provides an outpatient prescription drug benefit to older adults and people with long-term disabilities in Medicare who enroll in private plans. This analysis provides the latest data about Medicare Part D coverage and costs in 2019 and trends over time, including enrollment, premiums, cost sharing, and participation in the low-income subsidy program.
The 2014 Part D Data Spotlight analyzes information about the Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) options available to beneficiaries in 2014. The analysis shows that Medicare beneficiaries on average will have a choice of 35 stand-alone prescription drug plans in 2014, and somewhat more “benchmark” plans available to Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) beneficiaries nationwide. The weighted average premium will increase by 5 percent between 2013 and 2014 if enrollees remain in the same…
This comprehensive survey of people on Medicare, conducted in June and July 2004, assesses their attitudes toward the new Medicare drug law. This chartpack, issued in September 2004, presents additional analysis on the survey data, focusing on the views of people under age 65 with physical and/or mental disabilities. Supplemental Chartpack (.pdf)
All 10 Part D ARVs w Highest Spending Had Price Increases Above Inflation Download
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…
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