Fearing its key lobbying goal for the year is now in even greater jeopardy, the American Medical Association (AMA) is hustling to keep Congress from fingering Medicare physician spending growth as the key culprit behind a big hike in beneficiary premiums announced. If Congress thinks rising Medicare physician spending is largely to blame for the 13 percent hike in monthly Part B premiums announced by Medicare, it may be more reluctant to pass legislation adding to that spending—namely, a measure sought by the AMA to prevent a scheduled 4.4 percent cut in Medicare payments to doctors next year. Read more »
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the availability of a test version of an electronic health record system for use in doctors' offices. The release of the test system is part of a Bush administration goal of fostering widespread adoption of such systems within 10 years. "EHRs" are designed to provide a comprehensive list of all aspects of treatment a patient has received, as well as to issue reminders for preventive care and provide for electronic entry of drug prescriptions. Read more »
Medicare beneficiaries in 44 states will have access to private managed care plans that charge no premiums for drug coverage, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mark McClellan said in a telephone press briefing. McClellan's announcement of the final approval of prescription drug plans to be offered in Medicare in 2006 also made clear that beneficiaries will have a very large number of other types of low-cost drug coverage plans from which to choose. Read more »
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that some 3 million people have submitted applications to qualify for the low-income prescription drug benefit provided under the Medicare overhaul law (PL 108-173). Those who qualify will pay no or low premiums and deductibles, and generally will pay far lower co-payments per prescription than beneficiaries who receive standard Medicare prescription drug benefits. On average, the added assistance available under the low-income benefit is $2,100 per year, according to the SSA. Read more »
Many low-income and minority populations rely on Medicare Advantage plans because they are more affordable and include benefits not found in Medicare's traditional fee-for-service program, according to a new study. The report, compiled on behalf of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, also found that Medicare Advantage plans reduce Medicaid costs when "dual eligibles," individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. Without Medicare Advantage, the study estimates that Medicaid costs would increase by $792 million annually and roughly $4 billion over five years. Read more »