Rural resources on Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit resources related to rural health and human services, with information provided by the Rural Assistance Center Copyright 2008 Rural Assistance Center http://www.raconline.org/info_guides/partd/ Analyzes recent developments in the Medicare Advantage marketplace, including plan choices available to beneficiaries and enrollment trends by plan type and geography including rural issues. -- Kaiser Family Foundation http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/7775.pdf Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:40:27 CST http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/7775.pdf Analyzes the relationship between Medicare Part D payments, excluding dispensing fees, to local, community pharmacies and the pharmacies drug acquisition costs. Estimate Part D dispensing fees and compares them with Medicaid dispensing fees. Includes some data specific to rural pharmacies. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region6/60700107.pdf Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:31:06 CST http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region6/60700107.pdf Describes the experiences of 51 rural independently-owned pharmacies that are the sole providers of pharmacy services in their community one year after implementation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. A final report is also available. http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FB83.pdf Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:00:06 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FB83.pdf Describes the experiences of 51 rural independently-owned pharmacies that are the sole providers of pharmacy services in their community one year after implementation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. A findings brief is also available. http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FR92.pdf Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:39:57 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/FR92.pdf Fact sheet providing information on Medicare Part D plan premiums for 2008, as well as an overview of the Medicare prescription drug program, the most recent Part D enrollment period, and outreach efforts for the low-income subsidy. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/files/FactSheetPartDBenchmark.pdf Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:32:43 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/files/FactSheetPartDBenchmark.pdf Overview of drug coverage under Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D, with information on what drugs are covered under each part of the Medicare program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalMedicareTrainingProgram/Downloads/RxCoveragepartABD.pdf Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:49:25 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalMedicareTrainingProgram/Downloads/RxCoveragepartABD.pdf Provides an overview of the Medicare drug benefit and the additional subsidies available to certain eligible low-income beneficiaries. -- Kaiser Family Foundation http://www.kff.org/medicare/7327.cfm Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:42:09 CST http://www.kff.org/medicare/7327.cfm Toolkit for organizations interested in helping Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for the low income subsidy (LIS) to learn about and apply for extra help in paying for prescription drugs. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/Toolkits/itemdetail.asp?itemID=CMS1188820 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:52:07 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Partnerships/Toolkits/itemdetail.asp?itemID=CMS1188820 Shows the percent of rural people enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug program as of June 2006, based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PDF%20of%20All%20Color%20Maps.pdf Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:26:02 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PDF%20of%20All%20Color%20Maps.pdf Office of Inspector General report discussing the extent to which retail pharmacies participate inMedicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs). Includes comparison of pharmacy participation rates among metropolitan and non-metropolitan pharmacies. -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-05-06-00320.pdf Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:35:50 CST http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-05-06-00320.pdf Provides information on a series of CMS forums addressing pharmacy issues. Includes call-in instructions for the next call, how to register for the mailing list, and links to pharmacy-related fact sheets. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/22_ODF_PPDM.asp#TopOfPage Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:38:12 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/22_ODF_PPDM.asp#TopOfPage Provides an overview of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. Includes information on MA benefits, premiums, enrollment, and future issues. -- Kaiser Family Foundation http://www.kff.org/medicare/2052.cfm Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:02:11 CST http://www.kff.org/medicare/2052.cfm Provides information for health plans regarding how to implement CMS policies and procedures and comply with critical program requirements for the 2008 contract year. Includes detailed information on the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and prescription drug (Part D) programs. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/CallLetter.pdf Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:35:11 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/CallLetter.pdf Information for current and future contracting Medicare Advantage Organizations, other health plans, and other parties interested in the operational and regulatory aspects of the Medicare Advantage program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthPlansGenInfo/ Fri, 22 Jun 2007 10:28:14 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HealthPlansGenInfo/ Identifies sections of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) that might be of special concern to rural Medicare beneficiaries, medical care providers, and policymakers. Includes guidance regarding provisions in the Proposed Rule "Establishment of the Medicare Advantage Program," which implements Title II of the MMA, with a focus on its impact on rural health service delivery. -- NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/P2004-6.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:14:57 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/P2004-6.pdf Examines issues affecting the Medicare program. Addresses Part D, Medicare's new outpatient prescription drug benefit, with some coverage of rural issues. Includes overview of the Medicare Advantage program. Discusses the effects of the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) provisions in the MMA. -- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission http://www.medpac.gov/publications/congressional_reports/June05_Entire_report.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:14:23 CST http://www.medpac.gov/publications/congressional_reports/June05_Entire_report.pdf Examines out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs by noninstitutionalized rural Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older. Includes information on supplemental insurance coverage among rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries. -- AARP Public Policy Institute http://www.aarp.org/research/medicare/outofpocket/Articles/prescription_drug_spending_and_coverage_among_rura.html Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:12:27 CST http://www.aarp.org/research/medicare/outofpocket/Articles/prescription_drug_spending_and_coverage_among_rura.html Comprehensive resource on Medicare Part D for pharmacists, which may also be useful to other providers and partners. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Pharmacy/downloads/Part%20D%20Reference%20Document%20for%20Pharmacists.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:11:59 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Pharmacy/downloads/Part%20D%20Reference%20Document%20for%20Pharmacists.pdf Provides information and data about the Medicare Drug Benefit, including a breakdown of the standard benefit and updates on additional low-income assistance. -- Kaiser Family Foundation http://www.kff.org/medicare/7044.cfm Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:11:32 CST http://www.kff.org/medicare/7044.cfm Overview of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Includes information on Medicare subsidies, Medicare payments to plans, and the calculation of enrollee premiums. -- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission http://www.medpac.gov/publications/other_reports/Sept06_MedPAC_Payment_Basics_PartD.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:11:15 CST http://www.medpac.gov/publications/other_reports/Sept06_MedPAC_Payment_Basics_PartD.pdf Early information on enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program in rural and urban areas. Includes findings from ananalysis of plans available to rural persons underMedicare's Part D program. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/Medicare_Part_D_brief.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:10:41 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/Medicare_Part_D_brief.pdf Includes key messages for HRSA Grantees, along with links and information about Medicare Part D reimbursement. -- Office of Rural Health Policy http://networkassist.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/documents/medicare%20info%20for%20grantees%20may%202006.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:10:17 CST http://networkassist.ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/documents/medicare%20info%20for%20grantees%20may%202006.pdf Discusses some of the challenges vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries face in using Part D and makes specific recommendations such as using simpler, more standard procedures and ensuring that needed counseling support is provided. -- Commonwealth Fund http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/Summer_improvingMedicarepartD_1031.pdf?section=4039 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:09:57 CST http://www.commonwealthfund.org/usr_doc/Summer_improvingMedicarepartD_1031.pdf?section=4039 Information for people helping those covered by Medicare describing the Medicare prescription drug program's coverage gap. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/PartneTipSheetExplCovGap080206.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:09:22 CST http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/PartneTipSheetExplCovGap080206.pdf Overview of the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit, with answers to common questions Medicare beneficiaries may have about the program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.medicare.gov/Library/PDFNavigation/PDFInterim.asp?Language=English&Type=Pub&PubID=11065 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:08:55 CST http://www.medicare.gov/Library/PDFNavigation/PDFInterim.asp?Language=English&Type=Pub&PubID=11065 The findings from this study, along with specific suggestions made by pharmacists during the interviews, suggest short-term actions that can be taken to address the challenges faced by rural independent pharmacies who are the sole providers in their communities. A joint publication of the North Carolina Rural Health Research & Policy Analysis Center and the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis. http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP87.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:08:39 CST http://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/research_programs/rural_program/WP87.pdf Overview of how spending on prescription drugs is likely to vary among Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolling in Medicare Part D prescription plans in 2006. -- Kaiser Family Foundation http://www.kff.org/medicare/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=48947 Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:08:01 CST http://www.kff.org/medicare/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=48947 Provides updated findings about Medicare beneficiary enrollment in prescription drug plans (PDPs) in rural and urban areas across the UnitedStates. Updates findings presented in RUPRI Center Policy Brief PB2006-8. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-1.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:07:34 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-1.pdf Describes how the definition of rural will impact rural access to prescription drug plans under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, andModernization Action of 2003 (MMA). A joint publication of the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis and the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/p2004-7.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:07:05 CST http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/p2004-7.pdf Information for Medicare beneficiaries about the Medicare prescription drug program's coverage gap. Includes options to avoid or delay entering the gap and continue to save money on drug costswhile in the gap. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11213.pdf Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:05:40 CST http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11213.pdf