Mobile Version Subscribe Newsletters Contact Us About Us Advertise Issue Archive Jobs Reprints Video Ads

RSS | Login | Register

Medicare Part D

Medicare terminates prescription drug contract with Fox Insurance Company

March 11, 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday ended its contract with Fox Insurance Company after an on-site review revealed serious policy violations. It represents the first time that CMS has terminated a contract with a Part D drug plan since the drug program began in 2006, according to CMS.

Federal government gives states more than $4 billion to help with Medicare Part D 'clawback' costs

February 22, 2010

The Obama administration is granting $4.3 billion to states to help them offset the cost of Medicare drug coverage for those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

AAHSA members to call lawmakers today, urging them to pass healthcare reform

January 26, 2010

The White House has signaled that it may be scaling back the healthcare reform bill, and one long-term care group is speaking out about it.

Study: Nursing home residents with most to gain from Medicare Part D drug program are least likely to enroll

January 14, 2010

Many nursing home residents benefit from Medicare Part D but don't enroll in the prescription drug program, according to a recent study.

A new year brings new Medicare Part D plan options for long-term care residents

Rob Godwin January 04, 2010

Long-term care residents should reevaluate their Medicare Part D plans for the new year. A plan should correspond to a resident's individual pharmacy-related needs.

Cardin amendment would work to expand assisted living residents' access to prescription drugs

December 10, 2009

Assisted living providers and advocates are cheering this week after Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced an amendment to the healthcare reform bill that seeks to improve some assisted living residents' access to the Medicare Part D prescription drug program and Medicaid benefits.

Lawmakers look to eliminate Medicare Part D gap earlier than planned

October 28, 2009

Lawmakers are stepping up efforts to close the Medicare Part D doughnut hole, a coverage gap in the prescription drug program for seniors. Political pressure may be driving them to change their timetable.

Premium may rise next year for Medicare Part D beneficiaries who receive low-income subsidy

August 14, 2009

The Medicare Part D premium may rise in 2010 among some Part D beneficiaries who receive the low-income subsidy (LIS) benefit, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Thursday.

Obama talks healthcare reform with seniors at AARP town hall meeting

July 29, 2009

President Barack Obama Tuesday fielded questions about healthcare reform at a tele-town hall meeting sponsored by AARP, a powerful seniors advocacy group. He discussed living wills, Medicare Part D, and when he can expect his own AARP card.

CBO: market-basket freeze for skilled nursing could add up to billions in savings

July 10, 2009

The federal government can expect to save roughly $26 billion in Medicare costs over 10 years in part by freezing the market-basket update for skilled nursing facilities in fiscal year 2010, according to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office.

Pharmacy lobby pits House against Senate in debate over coverage of dual eligibles

July 07, 2009

Dual-eligible seniors are caught in a Capitol Hill cross fire over a pledge from the pharmaceutical industry to reduce costs by $80 billion, according to reports from Washington.

Avalere: House proposal could close Medicare Part D 'doughnut hole' by 2023

July 06, 2009

This week, U.S. lawmakers return to the task of crafting legislation that will reform the nation's healthcare system. One study has found that a House reform proposal could eliminate the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole" by 2023.

Study suggests reducing number of Medicare Part D plans could save beneficiaries money

June 09, 2009

The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is too confusing for seniors, often leading beneficiaries to choose unnecessarily expensive plans, according to a new study. What's more, seniors may not even realize they're overpaying.

Potentially inappropriate nursing home payments spur increased Medicare Part A, Part D oversight

June 08, 2009

Tens of millions of dollars were likely inappropriately paid to skilled nursing facilities through the Medicare Part D prescription drug program in 2006, according to a recently released report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.

Nursing home lobbyists urge lawmakers for change but don't expect long-term care reform

June 05, 2009

Hundreds of nursing home owners and operators blitzed congressional buildings in Washington on Thursday, pressing lawmakers for better Medicare payments, a halt to post-acute payment bundling system talk and other improvements. But one thing they weren't expecting to make much progress on was long-term care reform.

New injection of concern: Medicare Part A to become insolvent in 8 years, report says

May 13, 2009

If current trends continue, the Medicare Part A trust fund will become insolvent in 2017, according to the new annual report from the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees issued Tuesday.

CMS reminds Medicare Part D providers of obligations to nursing home residents

December 03, 2008

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently reminded Medicare Part D plan providers of their duty to provide convenient access to network pharmacies for long-term care residents.

Daschle reportedly offered top spot at HHS, providers pleased

November 20, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama has chosen former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, several news sources confirmed Wednesday.

Democrats include long-term care reform in policy platform

August 21, 2008

The Democratic Party has included long-term care reform as a plank in its policy platform.

Average Medicare Part D monthly premium to rise by $3 in 2009

August 15, 2008

The average monthly premium for standard beneficiaries in the Medicare Part D drug program is expected to rise by $3 next year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid disclosed Thursday.

Kucinich: Eliminate Medicare Part D drug program

August 11, 2008

Former presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) last week introduced legislation that would get rid of the Medicare Part D drug program.

Report: CMS struggles to resolve serious Medicare Part D complaints

July 30, 2008

While the number of Medicare Part D program complaints has fallen since the program began, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services still has problems resolving critical program complaints.

Report: Drugs for dual eligibles cost more under Medicare Part D

July 28, 2008

Prescription drugs for Medicare and Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries cost 30% more under Medicare Part D than they would if Medicaid paid the bill, according to a new report from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

OIG report: FDA slow to evaluate generic drug applications

June 17, 2008

The Food and Drug Administration disapproved 96% of applications for generic drug approval in 2006, according to a report recently released from the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General.