supplemental drug insurance plan

Rural resources on Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit resources via the Rural Assistance Center
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

• Publication: Eligible But Not Enrolled? Potential for Targeting Over a Half-Million Rural Medicare Beneficiaries for Enrollment in the Low-Income Subsidy Prescription Drug Program (Policy Brief)
  Discusses the Medicare Part D low-income supplement (LIS), which is designed to help low-income persons access the prescription drug benefit with reduced premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
• News: OIG Releases Semi-Annual Report to Congress
  On December 3, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its Semi-Annual Report to Congress (Report) for the 6 month period ending September 30, 2008.
• Publication: Medicare Payment Basics: Part D Payment System
  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
• Publication: Medicare Payment Basics: Medicare Advantage Program Payment System
  Overview of Medicare payments to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Includes information on Medicare Advantage regions. -- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
• Publication: Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Continues to Grow Rapidly in 2008, Led by Private Fee-for-Service Plans
  Provides findings about enrollment in the Medicare Advantage program in rural areas and across the United States. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
• Tool/Web Site: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA)
  Provides the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) that passed by both Houses.
• Publication: Medicare Advantage in 2008
  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
• Publication: Review of the Relationship between Medicare Part D Payments to Local, Community Pharmacies and the Pharmacies' Drug Acquisition Costs
  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
• Publication: One Year In: Sole Community Rural Independent Pharmacies and Medicare Part D (Findings Brief)
  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.
• Publication: One Year In: Sole Community Rural Independent Pharmacies and Medicare Part D (Final Report)
  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.
• Tool/Web Site: Low Income Subsidy Outreach Toolkit
  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
• Map: Percent of Rural Persons Enrolled in Medicare Part D Plans, June 2006
  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
• Publication: Retail Pharmacy Participation in Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2006
  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
• Tool/Web Site: CMS Pharmaceutical, Pharmacy, & Device Manufacturers Open Door Forums
  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
• Publication: 2008 Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD), Cost-Based Plan, and Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Call Letter
  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
• Tool/Web Site: Medicare Health Plans - General Information
  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
• Publication: Rural Perspective Regarding Regulations Implementing Titles I and II of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act Of 2003 (MMA)
  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
• Publication: Prescription Drug Spending and Coverage Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in 2003
  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
• Publication: Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Fact Sheet)
  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
• Publication: Medicare Part D: Early Findings on Enrollment and Choices for Rural Beneficiaries
  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
• Publication: Information for HRSA Grantees on Medicare and Pharmacy Services
  Includes key messages for HRSA Grantees, along with links and information about Medicare Part D reimbursement. -- Office of Rural Health Policy
• Publication: Experience of Sole Community Rural Independent Pharmacies with Medicare Part D