Renal Business Today

Medicare Part D

Comprehensive Drug Coverage of Medicare Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON—The majority of Medicare beneficiaries with kidney failure participate in Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage program, and most of these receive a low-income subsidy from the program, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of ...More
March 9, 2012
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
2011 USRDS Report By the Numbers

The following slides highlight some of the major ESRD-related highlights from the latest USRDS report, which was released in mid-October. ...More
October 18, 2011
Posted in Galleries, Business, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
CMS Issues Agreement to Close 'Donut Hole'

WASHINGTON—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on August 2 issued the agreement that drug manufacturers will use to provide savings of about 50 percent on brand name drugs and biologics for people with Medicare Part D who hit the Part D drug benefit ...More
August 3, 2010
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
Prescription Costs More Likely to Deter Hispanics

WASHINGTON—Drug costs could prevent some people from filling their prescriptions, which can interfere with optimal healthcare. A new study of Medicare beneficiaries found that cost concerns are more likely keep Hispanics away from the pharmacy counter than non-Hispanics. ...More
May 12, 2010
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
‘Doughnut Hole’ Causes Seniors to Skip Diabetes Meds

LOS ANGELES—Medicare recipients with diabetes who have a gap in their Part D prescription drug benefits—known as the “doughnut hole”—have higher out-of-pocket drug costs and are less likely to stick to their medications than those who have ...More
January 7, 2010
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation
Part D Premiums to Increase $2 in 2010

WASHINGTON—Medicare Part D premiums will increase an average of $2 in 2010, according to a news release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ...More
August 18, 2009
Posted in News, Government & Regulation
Drug Makers to Reduce Medicare Drug Costs

Reuters is reporting that drug manufacturers agreed to a 50-percent prescription drug discount for elderly and disabled Americans in the Medicare health insurance program that face a gap in coverage after their drug costs reach a certain level, known as the "doughnut hole.” ...More
June 23, 2009
Posted in News, Business, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
Part D Drug Spending Jumps $38 Billion in One Year

WASHINGTON—Medicare payments for outpatient prescription medications increased by more than $38 billion between 2005 and 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. ...More
April 14, 2009
Posted in News, Business, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation, Practice Management
Seniors Using Part D Decrease Use of Monthly Meds

PITTSBURGH—Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D who reached a gap in healthcare coverage known as the “doughnut hole” were much less likely to use prescription drugs than those with an employer-based plan, according to a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh ...More
February 3, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma, Government & Regulation
Medicare Revises ‘Negotiated’ Drug Prices Under Part D

WASHINGTON—In 2010, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the Part D program will pay lower prices at the pharmacy counter under a final rule released Jan. 6 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. ...More
January 8, 2009
Posted in News, Clinical & Pharma