Latest Medicare Part D Stories

Hawaii Home Health Medicare Margins on Steep Decline

2013-06-13 16:27:14

Hawaii is one of 10 states where payments will be below cost, and second biggest "loser" in the nation HONOLULU, June 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- By 2017, Hawaii is facing Medicare Home Healthcare payment at least 11.7% below cost, and up to 27.8% below cost if proposed rebasing takes effect. Even without rebasing, Hawaii will be one of 10 states where Medicare Home Healthcare payments are below cost. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii, in coordination with the Partnership...

Analysis: New Mexico Home Health Medicare Margins on Steep Decline

2013-06-11 16:25:50

Home Health Leaders Urge Careful Consideration of Data in Implementation of ACA's Rebasing Provision to Protect Seniors' Access to Cost-Effective, Patient-Preferred Home Healthcare ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care, in coordination with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, today released data demonstrating that the rebasing of Medicare home health payments within the proposed Home Health...

Medicare Beneficiaries Substantially More Likely To Use Brand-Name Drugs Than VA Patients

2013-06-11 12:57:37

Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes are two to three times more likely to use expensive brand-name drugs than a comparable group of patients treated within the VA Healthcare System, according to a nationwide study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Dartmouth College. Spending in Medicare Part D would have been an estimated $1.4 billion less in 2008 if brand-name and generic drug use matched that of the VA for the medications studied. The...

Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Website Receives Top Marks, Hailed as Best in Nation

2013-06-11 12:30:00

OAKLAND, Calif., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente's Medicare plan website, kp.org/medicare, received the highest overall rating for a third straight year in qualifying for MedicareWebWatch certification, according to HealthMetrix Research Inc. Kaiser Permanente's Medicare plan site was one of only 15 Medicare Advantage internet sites selected for certification, and among five recognized as a benchmark site. The independent research firm rated 133 Medicare plan websites...

Analysis: Minnesota Home Health Medicare Margins on Steep Decline

2013-06-10 16:25:57

Home Health Leaders Urge Careful Consideration of Data in Implementation of ACA's Rebasing Provision to Protect Seniors' Access to Cost-Effective, Patient-Preferred Home Healthcare ST. PAUL, Minn., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Home Care Association, in coordination with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, today released data demonstrating that the rebasing of Medicare home health payments within the proposed Home Health Prospective Payment System...

New Survey Reveals Cost of Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits Rise for Central PA Employees and Families

2013-06-06 23:14:30

Conrad Siegel Actuaries Releases Results from Annual Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits Survey Harrisburg, PA (PRWEB) June 06, 2013 Conrad Siegel Actuaries, celebrating its 50th year delivering comprehensive employee benefits services, announced today the results of its annual Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits survey, an employee benefits survey for the Central PA region. Overall, the survey found that medical and prescription drug benefit costs continue to rise for employees...

Analysis: Virginia Home Health Medicare Margins on Steep Decline

2013-06-06 12:29:14

Home Health Leaders Urge Careful Consideration of Data in Implementation of ACA's Rebasing Provision to Protect Seniors' Access to Cost-Effective, Patient-Preferred Home Healthcare RICHMOND, Va., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Virginia Association for Home Care and Hospice, in coordination with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, today released data demonstrating that the rebasing of Medicare home health payments within the proposed Home Health Prospective...

Analysis: Florida Home Health Medicare Margins on Steep Decline

2013-06-06 12:28:43

Home Health Leaders Urge Careful Consideration of Data in Implementation of ACA's Rebasing Provision to Protect Seniors' Access to Cost-Effective, Patient-Preferred Home Healthcare TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Home Care Association of Florida in coordination with the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, today released data demonstrating that the rebasing of Medicare home health payments within the proposed Home Health Prospective Payment System...

PCMA: Medicare Trustees Report Shows PBMs are Delivering Savings in Part D

2013-05-31 16:23:46

Merritt: Generics, Pharmacy Networks Are Reducing Premiums for Beneficiaries WASHINGTON, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a report released today by the Medicare Trustees, Part D costs in 2012 were 13 percent lower, while beneficiary premium payments were 14 percent lower than previously projected. The tools utilized by Medicare Part D plans--including preferred pharmacy networks and generic alternatives--are delivering savings, the Pharmaceutical Care Management...

Report: Upgrading Medicaid Drug Benefits Could Save Pennsylvania $896 Million

2013-05-28 12:27:38

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report estimates that upgrading management of drug benefits in Pennsylvania's Medicaid program could save $896 million without reducing access or the quality of benefits patients receive. The report shows that Pennsylvania and other state Medicaid programs could make more use of the tools Medicare, unions, and employers rely on to curb wasteful pharmacy spending. Learn more about the study and Medicaid pharmacy at...