Medicare Part D

Critics are warning that many seniors attempting to fill prescriptions using Medicare Part D plans may run into problems in the days to come. Today marks the official end of the 90-day transition period insurers agreed to after problems surfaced with the benefit. That makes it seem likely that April will be another key test for the controversial program. Patient advocates are warning that some seniors who are not aware of gaps and other restrictions to their coverage may be unable to …

Despite the negative publicity surrounding the program, some Medicare Part D participants have saved substantial sums by enrolling, The New York Times reports. The newspaper looks at a group of seniors who have seen their drug expenses fall sharply since the benefit went into effect. One community pharmacist is quoted as saying Part D was "significantly beneficial to one-third of Medicare patients, marginally beneficial to half the patients and no benefit at all to the …

The Bush administration said 2 million people signed up for the Medicare Part D benefit this month. That brings the total number who have enrolled individually to 7 million. Federal officials acknowledged that many of those who are eligible for the program and have not signed up fall into low-income groups. A drive is planned to sign up as many low-income seniors as possible before the May 15.

Meanwhile, House Democrats released a report that criticizes many of the new plans for …

A new study finds that Medicare Part D restricts the choice of drugs available to participants in some cases. The research, which looks at California plans, finds that the they offer participants a generally narrower selection of medications than they would be eligible for under Medi-Cal, the state program for low-income residents. The study was conducted by Washington-based Avalere Health for the California Health Care Foundation.

In a press conference yesterday, CMS administrator …

As expected, President Bush nominated Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to head the FDA. Von Eschenbach, who is serving as the acting head of the agency, is a former head of the National Cancer Institute. Observers predict a difficult and politically-charged confirmation process. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) have vowed to block the nomination unless the agency rules on Plan B, the emergency contraceptive pill. Washington insiders say the administration is likely …

A new survey released by industry trade group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) challenges the view that Medicare Part D is a disaster. The study, which was conducted by Alexandria, VA-based Ayres, McHenry & Associates found that 8 out of 10 seniors who enrolled in a Part D plan had no trouble doing so. Three out of five surveyed said they had saved money. "What seniors are saying is this program is working for them. It's making a difference," said AHIP President Karen …

Florida senator Bill Nelson (D) says that U.S. customs officials have secretly stepped up their campaign targeting prescription drugs coming into the country from Canada. Nelson's office released an estimate that concludes about 13,000 prescriptions have been seized since November. The information was provided to Nelson by a sympathetic customs official. In Washington, customs officials have refused to release detailed on seizures. Nelson says the crackdown started November 17, two days …

In an interview, CMS head Mark McClellan said the White House is looking at extending the system of health savings accounts to Medicare. Adding private accounts to the current system, of course, would amount to a fundamental change to the government health program for the elderly and disabled and is likely to spark opposition from groups opposed to privatization and taxpayers who can do basic math and are concerned about the program's costs.

McClellan also said Medicare Part D will …

> Four-star specialty hospitals that can make a hospital stay seem like a trip to a resort are proving highly popular with patients. Trauma centers say that's another reason they should be banned. Article

> Fifteen states petitioned the Supreme Court to allow them to sue HHS over  Medicare Part D. …

Democrats say the recent seizure of Canadian prescription drugs at the border are a "ploy" to force seniors citizens to move to Medicare Part D. Florida senator Bill Nelson (D), who charges that the White House has acted improperly, is calling for an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security into possible illegalities. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about 10 percent of Florida seniors order prescription drugs from Canada. This week, customs officials announced that …