PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS: EARLY EXPERIENCES, POTENTIAL SAVINGS? WHO IS THE CENTER FOR
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CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY, INC. PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS: EARLY EXPERIENCES, POTENTIAL SAVINGS? ________ Vicki Gottlich, Esq. National Health Policy Conference 2005 February 3, 2005 ______________ www.medicareadvocacy.org www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. WHO IS THE CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY, INC.? Work to increase access to comprehensive Medicare coverage and excellent health care for elders and people with disabilities by providing the highest quality analysis, education, and advocacy Central office in Connecticut, with satellite offices in D.C., Maine, Tucson & NJ www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 2 1 WHAT THE CENTER DOES Advocacy Concerning Prescription Drug Discount Cards Member of Access to Benefits Coalition Talk to & educate consumers & advocates • • Throughout CT – part of SHIP network, Congressional forums Throughout the country Written information for consumers & advocates – starting in January 2004 and continuing www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 3 WHAT THE CENTER DOES Unscientific Analysis of Prescription Drug Card Costs Summer intern performed 10 week study • • • 10 most popular drugs identified by the Pennsylvania State Pharmacy Assistance Program MS drugs 3 zip codes – D.C., rural CT, suburban MD Did not find consistent increase in prices as expected www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 4 2 WHAT THE CENTER FOUND Lessons for 2006 SIMPLIFY!! Need for accurate information Need for consistency Need for reliable sources of assistance The Internet isn’t the way to go www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 5 SIMPLIFY Lessons for 2006 Uniformly told by beneficiaries, families and advocates • • • • Too complicated Too many plans Too many factors to consider – drug, dosage, pharmacy, generics Too hard to compare As a result, they didn’t enroll - • • Even if eligible for $600 credit Even if could have saved money www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 6 3 NEED FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION Lessons for 2006 Out-of-business pharmacies listed as participating Pharmacies listed as taking a card did not take it • ConnPACE enrollees couldn’t use card at their pharmacy Higher prices listed for pharmacies that weren’t yet participating Prices on web were different from prices at pharmacy Problems identifying dosages/prices for MS drugs • Consumers advised to wait, but may not be able to do so for Part D www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 7 NEED FOR CONSISTENCY Lessons for 2006 Discounts varied by zip code and by pharmacy Some drugs discounted more than others Discount cards discontinued service on the web for a week or more The same card didn’t always have the best discounts www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 8 4 NEED FOR RELIABLE SOURCES OF INFORMATION Lessons for 2006 GAO gives 1-800 Medicare a failing grade Advocates/beneficiaries have little luck with regional offices Plans/pharmacies give inaccurate information Problems with MSP auto-enrollment letters No where to go to file a complaint SHIP programs overwhelmed www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 9 INTERNET ISN’T THE WAY TO GO Lessons for 2006 Kaiser – Less than 1/3 of seniors have gone on line Center for Medicare Advocacy Survey – Aug/Sept. 04 • • • • • Spoke with 263 people, aged 54-93 Only 13% use the Internet Many can’t afford a computer and/or monthly Internet fee Many with computers don’t own printers Only 13 of 263 had gone to www.medicare.gov www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 10 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2006 Simplify – too many plans, too many variables leads to no choice Provide as much information about the variables • • • In advance of having to make a choice In writing Don’t make beneficiaries “go fish” for information they need Make sure the information is accurate – lock-in Establish quality controls/ testing for accuracy Provide additional funding for SHIPs www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 11 CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY DC: (202) 216-0028 CT: (860) 456-7790 www.medicareadvocacy.org www.medicareadvocacy.org Copyright © Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 12 6
