MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT

To strongly advocate a fully funded prescription drug program for eligible Medicare beneficiaries that maintains continuity of care and ensures the best use of medications; further,

To advocate that essential requirements in the program include (1) appropriate product reimbursement; (2) affordability for patients, including elimination of coverage gaps; (3) payment for indirect costs and practice expenses related to the provision of pharmacist services, based on a study of those costs; (4) appropriate coverage and payment for patient care services provided by pharmacists; (5) open access to the pharmacy provider of the patient’s choice; (6) formularies with sufficient flexibility to allow access to medically necessary drugs; and (7) well-publicized, unbiased resources to assist beneficiaries in enrolling in the most appropriate plan for their medication needs.

(Note: Fully funded means the federal government will make adequate funds available to fully cover the Medicare program’s share of prescription drug program costs; eligible means the federal government may establish criteria by which Medicare beneficiaries qualify for the prescription drug program.)

Rationale

Fully funded means the federal government will make adequate funds available to fully cover the Medicare program’s share of prescription drug program costs. Eligible means the federal government may establish criteria by which Medicare beneficiaries qualify for the prescription drug program.