Prescription Drugs

This document includes the toplines from a comprehensive survey of people on Medicare and their attitudes toward the new Medicare drug law. The survey provides detailed insight in their perceptions and opinions about the law, the Medicare-approved drug-discount card program and the new Medicare drug benefit set to begin in…

This report examines the early experience with the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card Program, prices offered by card sponsors, and potential savings for enrollees. The report presents information about approved discount card programs, including sponsors, enrollment fees, and drugs covered, as well as beneficiary education and outreach efforts by the Centers…

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…

Topline findings from the May/June 2004 Kaiser Health Poll Report survey, including knowledge and opinions about the new Medicare prescription drug law.Survey Toplines (.pdf)

The New Medicare Prescription Drug Law: Issues for Dual Eligibles with Disabilities and Serious ConditionsThe new issue paper discusses the challenges the new Medicare drug program faces in meeting the needs of dual eligible individuals with disabilities, who tend to have extensive, complex and varying needs. The brief examines four…

The New Medicare Drug Benefit: Potential Effects of Pharmacy Management Tools on Access to MedicationsThis 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…

This issue paper provides the latest data and trend analysis on Medicaid prescription drug spending and utilization. In 2002, Medicaid programs spent $30 billion for prescribed drugs.Issue Paper (.pdf)

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)

Trends in Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Prescription Drug Benefits, 1996-2001 Data UpdateThis data update provides estimates of supplemental insurance and prescription drug coverage rates and trends between 1996 and 2001, which will help to provide important context for assessing future changes in supplemental insurance and drug coverage rates after provisions…

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…