NEW TOOLS FOR MEDICARE PART D BENEFICIARIES

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recently made some new tools available to help physicians more easily obtain information about Part D formularies and whether a specific drug is covered by a Part D plan. CMS has created a Web-based formulary finder at http://formularyfinder.medicare.gov/formularyfinder/selectstate.asp  which provides a list of all Part D plans in a given state and links directly to a plan's home page for a complete listing. In mid-January the CMS formulary finder will be linked directly to individual plan formularies. It is important to note that during January all plans are supposed to have in place a transition process that allows enrollees to continue their current drugs. During this time physicians can work with their patients to adjust drugs to new formularies or request exceptions if necessary. CMS will also be hosting a weekly telephone conference call on Medicare Part D to help educate physicians and their staff on the new prescription drug plan scheduled to take effect on January 1. This 60-minute call will enable participants to ask questions and discuss specific issues regarding the Part D program. Starting January 3, this free conference call will take place every Tuesday, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To participate, call 1-800-619-2457 and reference the password “Part D.” A series of brochures and online tools to help Medicare enrollees understand the new prescription drug benefit are now available:

Comprehensive Resource Kit

Includes a worksheet for the decision-making process, instructions for enrollment and CD training of the Prescription Drug Plan Finder Tool. Can be found on the CMS website at http://new.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Toolkit

Includes outreach materials, basic training on the coverage and handouts. Can be downloaded from the CMS website at http://new.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/.

Plan Finder Tool Training Demonstration

This online tool walks the user through the process of using the Plan Finder Tool to help Medicare patients choose and join a plan. Available online at http://media.cms.hhs.gov.

Medicare patients should have already received the CMS brochures What Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Means to You: A Guide to Getting Started and the Medicare and You 2006 Handbook in the mail earlier this year. Additional copies of these brochures and other free Medicare publications are available by visiting http://www.cms.hhs.gov/  or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.