Vice President Joe Biden, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the nation's pharmaceutical manufacturers will provide 50 percent discounts on the cost of covered brand-name prescription drugs for beneficiaries in the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or donut hole, starting in 2011.
Vice President Biden and Secretary Sebelius made the announcement on a grassroots conference call with seniors from across the country. On the call, the Vice President and the Secretary discussed the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for seniors including the prescription drug discounts and provisions in the law that help fight fraud and make certain preventive care and annual wellness exams, free for most Medicare beneficiaries.
"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of people with Medicare who will fall into the Part D donut hole next year will pay less for their prescription drugs," said Vice President Biden. "The discount manufacturers will pay on brand-name drugs, helping millions of seniors who are struggling to make ends meet at the end of the month, and it's just one of the ways the new health care law helps make Medicare stronger."
The Affordable Care Act has helped reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries, beginning with one-time rebate $250 rebate checks for beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010.
"More than 1.2 million beneficiaries who have hit the donut hole so far this year have received their $250 rebate checks as part of the cost savings provisions in the Affordable Care Act, and millions more are on deck to get a check," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "Now, with these new agreements, people who rely on Medicare will see even more savings off their drug costs next year, and savings will continue even after the coverage gap is closed in 2020."
Seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare drug plans will also find next year that through the use of the new tools provided by the Affordable Care Act, premiums are stable and the number of prescription drug plans that voluntarily help fill the donut hole has increased. In August, CMS reported that the average 2011 Medicare prescription drug plan premium will remain similar to rates beneficiaries are currently paying this year - an increase of $1.
"Most Medicare prescription drug plan premiums will remain stable next year and beneficiaries will find there are clearer plan options and many plans that can help them save even more - like those plans that are offering benefits that help fill the donut hole," said CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, M.D. "They will find that the Affordable Care Act improves the value of drug coverage they get next year."
Beneficiaries will soon receive their 2011 Medicare & You handbook and find updated information at www.medicare.gov and 1-800-Medicare in mid-October. Users of the Medicare Plan Finder, available at www.medicare.gov, will be able to compare plans' quality summary rating from the previous year, identify which drugs are included on a plan's formulary, and compare the cost ranges for plans available in their communities.
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Showing posts with label drugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drugs. Show all posts
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sebelius announces 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received prescription drug cost relief under the Affordable Care Act
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received prescription drug cost relief through the Affordable Care Act. As part of the health insurance reform law's step-by-step efforts to close the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, eligible beneficiaries who fall in this "donut hole" this year are mailed a one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check. More than a quarter of the 4 million checks Medicare expects to distribute have been received by eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
"Many seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare face extraordinary prescription drug costs, and too often stop following the drug regimens that their doctors have recommended as a result," said Secretary Sebelius. "These checks will make a difference in helping seniors continue to get the medications they need, and are one of many ways that the Affordable Care Act is helping seniors."
Nationwide, 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have already been mailed their rebates and more beneficiaries will be receiving checks in the coming months as they enter the coverage gap. Eligible beneficiaries receive these checks automatically in the mail when they reach the donut hole, and they don't have to sign-up to be eligible for the rebates.
Rebate checks will help people with their drug costs this year. Next year, those who fall into the donut hole will receive a 50-percent discount on covered brand name medications while in the donut hole. Every year, the amount Medicare beneficiaries pay in cost sharing will decrease markedly until the coverage gap is closed.
The closing of the donut hole is just one of the ways seniors benefit from the Affordable Care Act. In addition to savings on prescription drugs, the law provides new benefits to Medicare beneficiaries when they visit their doctor. All beneficiaries will receive free preventive care services like mammograms and certain colon cancer tests and a free annual physical starting in 2011 in Original Medicare. Additionally, seniors can expect to save an average of nearly $200 per year in premiums by 2018 compared to what they would have paid without the new law, and most beneficiaries will also see a significant reduction in their Medicare coinsurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act also contains important new tools to help crack down on criminals seeking to scam seniors and steal taxpayer dollars. Last week, HHS and the Department of Justice held their second regional fraud prevention summit in Los Angeles that brought together law enforcement experts, providers and seniors to help utilize these new tools to fight fraud and protect seniors.
The Affordable Care Act strengthens the screenings for health care providers who want to participate in Medicaid or Medicare, enables enforcement officials to see health care claims data from around the country into a single, searchable database, and strengthens the penalties for criminals. The reduction in waste, fraud and abuse returns savings to the Medicare Trust Fund to strengthen the program into the future.
Seniors are encouraged to contact 1-800-MEDICARE to report any solicitations of personal information, or go to www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
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"Many seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare face extraordinary prescription drug costs, and too often stop following the drug regimens that their doctors have recommended as a result," said Secretary Sebelius. "These checks will make a difference in helping seniors continue to get the medications they need, and are one of many ways that the Affordable Care Act is helping seniors."
Nationwide, 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have already been mailed their rebates and more beneficiaries will be receiving checks in the coming months as they enter the coverage gap. Eligible beneficiaries receive these checks automatically in the mail when they reach the donut hole, and they don't have to sign-up to be eligible for the rebates.
Rebate checks will help people with their drug costs this year. Next year, those who fall into the donut hole will receive a 50-percent discount on covered brand name medications while in the donut hole. Every year, the amount Medicare beneficiaries pay in cost sharing will decrease markedly until the coverage gap is closed.
The closing of the donut hole is just one of the ways seniors benefit from the Affordable Care Act. In addition to savings on prescription drugs, the law provides new benefits to Medicare beneficiaries when they visit their doctor. All beneficiaries will receive free preventive care services like mammograms and certain colon cancer tests and a free annual physical starting in 2011 in Original Medicare. Additionally, seniors can expect to save an average of nearly $200 per year in premiums by 2018 compared to what they would have paid without the new law, and most beneficiaries will also see a significant reduction in their Medicare coinsurance as a result of the Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act also contains important new tools to help crack down on criminals seeking to scam seniors and steal taxpayer dollars. Last week, HHS and the Department of Justice held their second regional fraud prevention summit in Los Angeles that brought together law enforcement experts, providers and seniors to help utilize these new tools to fight fraud and protect seniors.
The Affordable Care Act strengthens the screenings for health care providers who want to participate in Medicaid or Medicare, enables enforcement officials to see health care claims data from around the country into a single, searchable database, and strengthens the penalties for criminals. The reduction in waste, fraud and abuse returns savings to the Medicare Trust Fund to strengthen the program into the future.
Seniors are encouraged to contact 1-800-MEDICARE to report any solicitations of personal information, or go to www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.
-----
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
New CVS/pharmacy Data Reveals Older Americans Could Save an Average of $612 Annually by Switching Medicare Part D Plans
/PRNewswire/ -- With the Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D beginning on November 15, CVS/pharmacy and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) are urging older adults and their caregivers to review their Medicare Part D options in order to find the lowest cost plan that meets their needs.
Confusion around the number and variety of prescription drug plans often becomes a barrier to identifying and selecting the most cost effective plan. Free online tools like the CVS/pharmacy Medicare Part D Savings Calculator at www.cvs.com/medicare simplifies the comparison process, helping seniors more readily identify the plan with the lowest overall costs.
"Plan review can seem cumbersome, but completing a plan comparison each year is an essential step toward saving," said Fernando Gonzalez, R.Ph at CVS/pharmacy. "Tools like the Medicare Part D Calculator are designed to simplify the process to help older adults and their caregivers select a plan that provides them with the greatest value and peace of mind."
A CVS/pharmacy analysis of more than 10,000 older Americans using the Medicare Part D Savings Calculator last year revealed plan participants could save an average of $612 in annual drug costs just by switching to their optimal Medicare Part D plan.(1)
"This data underscores the importance for older adults and their caregivers to review Medicare Part D plans each year," said Wendy Zenker, Vice President of the NCOA Benefits Access Group. "With the number of changes to Part D plans from year to year, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to see significant savings and receive better coverage, if they compare and shop around."
To that end, CVS/pharmacy today launches a campaign with the goal of helping millions of seniors and their caregivers realize savings on 2010 prescription costs through education and assistance in Medicare Part D plan comparison. Starting November 12, CVS/pharmacy and the NCOA are offering Medicare Part D educational events throughout Annual Enrollment period at senior centers across the country.
Consumers can also go online at CVS.com/medicare to use the free Medicare Part D Savings Calculator. And, CVS pharmacists will be available throughout the enrollment period to provide plan comparisons in stores for those who would like assistance.(2)
Remembering the Three Cs: Cost, Coverage and Convenience
CVS/pharmacy and NCOA recommend considering three factors when evaluating plans:
-- Cost - What is the plan deductible, monthly premium and prescription
co-pay for the prescriptions you regularly take? Evaluate the total
cost and not just the co-pays. And, identify in advance if you fall
into the doughnut hole.
-- Coverage - Are the prescription medications you regularly take covered
in the plan? Are there restrictions such as prior authorization? Each
year insurance plans change, including premiums, co-pays, and the list
of covered drugs. Your own prescription needs change as well.
-- Convenience - Can you fill the prescription at the pharmacy of your
choice?
Before starting the plan selection process, older Americans should review their current medications with their pharmacist. Often, prescription costs can be lowered by switching to a generic alternative, consolidating pills or by switching to an over the counter alternative. Having these changes in place before selecting a plan can help in choosing the most affordable option and potentially avoiding the doughnut hole -- the gap in coverage if your prescription costs reach $2,830.
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Confusion around the number and variety of prescription drug plans often becomes a barrier to identifying and selecting the most cost effective plan. Free online tools like the CVS/pharmacy Medicare Part D Savings Calculator at www.cvs.com/medicare simplifies the comparison process, helping seniors more readily identify the plan with the lowest overall costs.
"Plan review can seem cumbersome, but completing a plan comparison each year is an essential step toward saving," said Fernando Gonzalez, R.Ph at CVS/pharmacy. "Tools like the Medicare Part D Calculator are designed to simplify the process to help older adults and their caregivers select a plan that provides them with the greatest value and peace of mind."
A CVS/pharmacy analysis of more than 10,000 older Americans using the Medicare Part D Savings Calculator last year revealed plan participants could save an average of $612 in annual drug costs just by switching to their optimal Medicare Part D plan.(1)
"This data underscores the importance for older adults and their caregivers to review Medicare Part D plans each year," said Wendy Zenker, Vice President of the NCOA Benefits Access Group. "With the number of changes to Part D plans from year to year, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to see significant savings and receive better coverage, if they compare and shop around."
To that end, CVS/pharmacy today launches a campaign with the goal of helping millions of seniors and their caregivers realize savings on 2010 prescription costs through education and assistance in Medicare Part D plan comparison. Starting November 12, CVS/pharmacy and the NCOA are offering Medicare Part D educational events throughout Annual Enrollment period at senior centers across the country.
Consumers can also go online at CVS.com/medicare to use the free Medicare Part D Savings Calculator. And, CVS pharmacists will be available throughout the enrollment period to provide plan comparisons in stores for those who would like assistance.(2)
Remembering the Three Cs: Cost, Coverage and Convenience
CVS/pharmacy and NCOA recommend considering three factors when evaluating plans:
-- Cost - What is the plan deductible, monthly premium and prescription
co-pay for the prescriptions you regularly take? Evaluate the total
cost and not just the co-pays. And, identify in advance if you fall
into the doughnut hole.
-- Coverage - Are the prescription medications you regularly take covered
in the plan? Are there restrictions such as prior authorization? Each
year insurance plans change, including premiums, co-pays, and the list
of covered drugs. Your own prescription needs change as well.
-- Convenience - Can you fill the prescription at the pharmacy of your
choice?
Before starting the plan selection process, older Americans should review their current medications with their pharmacist. Often, prescription costs can be lowered by switching to a generic alternative, consolidating pills or by switching to an over the counter alternative. Having these changes in place before selecting a plan can help in choosing the most affordable option and potentially avoiding the doughnut hole -- the gap in coverage if your prescription costs reach $2,830.
-----
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