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  • New Medicare Drug Benefit’s Impact on States and Low-Income Beneficiaries

    Other Post

    New Medicare Drug Benefit's Impact on States and Low-Income Beneficiaries The recently signed Medicare prescription drug bill transfers responsibility for providing prescription drug coverage to dual-eligible beneficiaries from Medicaid to Medicare and creates a new subsidy program for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. These changes will have a major impact on state Medicaid programs both fiscally and administratively and it will also mean major changes for low-income beneficiaries' drug coverage. Presentation: Medicare Prescription Drugs and Low-Income Beneficiaries…

  • Medicaid Prescription Drug Spending and Use

    Issue Brief

    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)

  • 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)

  • The Emerging Role of Group Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief examines the recent boom in Medicare Advantage enrollment attributable to employers contracting with Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans to cover their Medicare-eligible retirees. Between 2006 and 2008, the number of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage group plans nearly doubled from 900,000 to nearly 1.7 million as of June 2008; most of this growth is attributable to contracts between employers and PFFS plans. The issue brief, prepared for the Foundation by Avalere Health,…

  • Medicare Drug Discount Cards: A Work In Progress (Briefing)

    Other Post

    Medicare Drug Discount Cards: A Work In Progress 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 for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The pricing analysis shows that discount cards can deliver savings off of…

  • Current Trends and Future Outlook for Retiree Health Benefits:  Findings from the Kaiser/Hewitt 2004 Survey on Retiree Health Benefits

    Other Post

    Current Trends and Future Outlook for Retiree Health Benefits: Findings from the Kaiser/Hewitt 2004 Survey on Retiree Health Benefits A new survey of large employers finds businesses and retirees experienced double-digit increase in retiree health costs, with further increases expected in 2005. The survey also includes an early look at employers' responses to the new Medicare drug law. News Release Report - Interactive online version and downloadable chapters Chartpack Materials From the December 14, 2004…

  • The Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy Program: Experience to Date and Policy Issues for Consideration

    Issue Brief

    This policy brief examines the low-income subsidy program that provides premiums and cost-sharing assistance under Part D plans, documenting trends in both beneficiary and plan participation over time. With fewer plans available to low-income enrollees without having to pay a premium, and annual changes in those plans, the brief discusses challenges facing low-income Part D enrollees and strategies that could be used to increase the effectiveness of the subsidy program. It was prepared for the…

  • Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act Implementation Timeline: June 2004 – December 2006 Key Dates

    Report

    Key Implementation Dates for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit This timeline presents important dates and deadlines of key implementation activities related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). It runs from the beginning of 2005 through the end of 2006, the first year of the new Medicare drug benefit. Some of these dates are defined in the MMA statute, while others are from the final rule issued by the Centers…

  • Toplines: July/August 2005 Health Poll Report Survey

    Poll Finding

    Health News Index July/August, 2005 These toplines provide the complete survey questions and responses to the July/August 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report, a bimonthly report designed to provide key tracking information on public opinion about health care topics to journalists, policymakers and the general public. It includes a series of questions on seniors' views and knowledge about the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Topline/Survey