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…
Low-Income Subsidies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: The Impact of the Asset Test March 31, 2005 Report This study assesses the impact of the requirement that low-income people with Medicare meet an asset test in order to receive additional help paying premiums and cost-sharing under the new Medicare drug benefit.Report (.pdf)American Journal of Managed Care Article: Who Will Be Denied Medicare Prescription Drug Subsidies Because of the…
A Comparison of Proposed and Final Regulations Governing Medicare Part D Plan Enrollment and Part D Benefit Appeal and Grievance Procedures February 28, 2005 Issue Brief This table highlights changes in the appeal and grievance procedures included in the proposed and final regulations implementing the drug benefit. It was prepared for the Foundation by Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., of the George Washington University School of Public Health.Issue Brief (.pdf)
Profile and Analysis of the 26 Medicare Advantage Regions February 28, 2005 Issue Brief This issue brief examines the 26 new Medicare Advantage PPO regions and their implications for beneficiaries. The paper describes the characteristics of the new Medicare Advantage regions and the extent to which Medicare Advantage plans are already available in each region. It highlights the substantial gap between the current availability…
Policy Workshop on Formularies and Medicare February 28, 2005 Event The Kaiser Family Foundation hosted a March 14, 2005 policy workshop on the use of drug formularies in the private sector and their potential implications for beneficiaries under the new Medicare drug benefit, set to go into effect January 1, 2006. The workshop involved an expert panel, including perspectives from…
Cost Containment Strategies For Prescription Drugs: Assessing The Evidence In The Literature February 28, 2005 Report This report describes and reviews various options to address prescription drug spending growth, including a description of each cost-containment strategy, its use by private or public payers, and a discussion of known evidence about its effectiveness or cost-saving potential. It was prepared for the Kaiser Family Foundation by Jack Hoadley,…
The Effects of Formularies and Other Cost Management Tools on Access to Medications: An Analysis of the MMA and the Final Rule February 28, 2005 Issue Brief This report examines the formulary and cost management provisions of the final Medicare regulations implementing the new Medicare Part D drug benefit that was passed as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and their implications for people with Medicare who enroll in new drug plans and their access…
The President’s FY 2006 Budget Proposal: February 27, 2005 Report Overview and Briefing ChartsThis chartpack reviews the President’s FY 2006 budget request to Congress and highlights overall budget assumptions and funding for major health programs. It begins with a description of the federal budget process, followed by an overview of federal surplus/deficit spending patterns dating back to 1969. It then…
Summary of Final Regulations Implementing the New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit January 31, 2005 Issue Brief This document summarizes the final regulations to implement the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The regulations were published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a final rule in the Jan. 28 Federal Register. It provides an overview that allows interested parties to obtain information about specific…
Navigating Medicare and Medicaid, 2005: A Resource Guide for People with Disabilities, Their Families, and Their Advocates January 30, 2005 Report This guide explains the critical role Medicare and Medicaid have come to play in the lives and the futures of roughly 20 million children, adults, and seniors with disabilities – and gives people with disabilities new information to help them get the most from these programs.Full PDF Report (.pdf)Section 1:…