12/16/2008
Some Medicare drug plans are being criticized for using reference-based pricing in which beneficiaries who choose a brand-name drug when there is a generic version available are charged a much higher price. The industry argues that the tactic helps curb rising health care costs, but critics complain that the practice can result in hidden charges. Wall Street Journal.
12/15/2008
When Democrats take control of the White House and Congress next month, they likely will make changes to Medicare. In particular, Democrats plan to target private Medicare Advantage plans and the Medicare drug benefit. Wall Street Journal.
12/03/2008
When Medicare beneficiaries opt for a brand-name treatment over a generic version, a Medicare rule permits health plans to charge beneficiaries a standard copayment, as well as the difference between the price of the generic and the brand-name drug. Health care advocates maintain that the rule has not been explained clearly to beneficiaries. USA Today.
12/02/2008
Seniors can benefit from comparing Medicare prescription drug benefit plans during the six-week open-enrollment period that ends Dec. 31 to avoid costly mistakes. Health policy analysts and advocates offer six tips for choosing the best Medicare drug plan. Wall Street Journal.
11/18/2008
A survey released Monday by Medco Health Solutions found that 62% of Medicare beneficiaries do not fully understand the "doughnut hole" in the prescription drug benefit, and 28% do not understand at all or are not aware of the coverage gap. AP/Washington Post.
11/17/2008
With anticipated increases in Medicare prescription drug plan premiums, experts are urging California Medicare beneficiaries to carefully examine their drug coverage options during the open enrollment period. In California, the average premium for stand-alone plans is expected to increase by 35%. San Francisco Chronicle.
11/14/2008
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is preparing to launch an advertising campaign intended to chip away at support for an element of President-elect Obama's proposal to let Medicare negotiate drug prices directly with drugmakers. Washington Times.
11/13/2008
Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in drug plans with the largest enrollments will pay on average 43% more in monthly premiums in 2009 than when the drug program launched in 2006, according to two analyses. Meanwhile, the government's drug spending on the program fell by 12% in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, mainly because of the increase in use of low-cost generic drugs. USA Today.
11/05/2008
Throughout the campaign, Democratic candidates were critical of subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans, raising some concerns for health insurers in that sector. However, insurers could benefit from proposals aimed at expanding health insurance coverage. Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal.
11/04/2008
Some insurers are hiking copayments for Medicare drug coverage and others are raising monthly premiums significantly. An analysis of California and four other large states shows that premiums for the 10 largest Medicare drug plans will increase by an average of 31% next year. Wall Street Journal.
10/31/2008
Federal spending on the Medicare drug benefit came in about $6 billion below expectations for fiscal year 2008 because of increased use of generics, lower-than-expected enrollment and beneficiaries cutting back on drug costs to avoid the so-called "doughnut hole." USA Today.
10/09/2008
An analysis by Avalere Health projects that low-income Medicare beneficiaries will have fewer coverage options under the Medicare drug benefit in 2009. Researchers expect Wisconsin to be the only state in the nation where low-income beneficiaries' drug plan options will not drop. USA Today.
09/26/2008
Medicare beneficiaries are more likely to request generic drugs if they are paying for the medications out of pocket but still request brand-name drugs when coverage from the drug benefit applies, according to a study by Medco Health Solutions. Brand-name medications accounted for almost two-thirds of all prescriptions initially filled by Medicare beneficiaries. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
09/26/2008
A report by Avalere Health projects that monthly premiums for stand-alone Medicare drug plans will average $37 next year, a 24% increase from 2008. Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said that the projection still falls below estimated costs used when the drug benefit launched. Wall Street Journal et al.
09/16/2008
Some key provisions of the federal rules will bar unsolicited sales pitches, meals at sales presentations and conducting sales presentations at physicians' offices or other locations where health care services are provided. The rules will take effect next month. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.