|
E-mail this page to a friend!
Medicare Drug Program News
Senior Citizens Seeking New Medicare Drug Plan
Finding Fewer Drugs Covered
Size of the formulary is becoming more aligned with
utilization patterns, consumer preferences, health outcomes and value
for consumers, says Humana
 Dec. 4, 2007 While shopping around for a new
Medicare drug plan, many senior citizens may be getting a shock to find
many drugs no longer covered. A new analysis finds a gigantic drop in
the number of drugs covered in 2008. What is called the Open
Enrollment period, a time when seniors can change drug plans, opened on
Nov. 15 and closes on Dec. 31. Seniors are advised to also check their
existing plan to see if drugs they need have been dropped.
Medicare Rx Plans To Cover Fewer Medications
Next Year
The number of medications covered under Medicare
prescription drug plans offered by the 10 health insurers with the
largest enrollment will decrease next year by 26%, according to a recent
analysis by
Avalere Health,
USA Today reports.
According to the analysis, the number of
medications covered under Medicare prescription drug plans offered by
UnitedHealth and
Humana next year will decrease by 30%, from more than 3,750
treatments to more than 2,620, although the plans will continue to have
some of the largest formularies available
The decrease in the number of medications covered
under Medicare prescription drug plans will occur "mainly because of
changes made by Medicare," which no longer will reimburse plans for
treatments that
FDA has removed from the market, are considered less than effective,
have duplicative billing codes or are no longer manufactured, USA Today
reports.
CMS officials and health insurers maintain that the decrease likely
will not affect Medicare beneficiaries who take medications no longer
covered by prescription drug plans because they will have access to
alternative treatments and can use an appeals process to seek continued
coverage of their current treatments.
Humana spokesperson Tom Noland said, "As the Part D
program develops, the size of the formulary is becoming more aligned
with utilization patterns, consumer preferences, health outcomes and
value for consumers" (Appleby, USA Today, 12/4).
|
Nursing Home Abuse, Medical Malpractice? Contact a lawyer.
click here
|
|
Click to More Senior News on the
Front Page
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
