Coalition of associations, industry groups, think tanks and others including AAFP and AMA formed to make sure information about the new drug coverage is available to the Medicare population.

Medicare.gov

The official government Web site for Medicare beneficiaries. There you’ll find a link to loads of information on the prescription drug benefit including an extensive FAQ page, fact sheets, information for people with limited incomes and more. They now offer a specialized my.medicare.gov that allows users to access personalized information about Medicare benefits and services.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder

Also through www.medicare.gov, you and your patients use this online tool to learn about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage, find and compare prescription drug plans that meet your personal needs and enroll in the prescription drug plan selected.

Formulary Finder

If you’re looking for a tool to help find plans in your state to cover your patients’ prescription drugs, try the Formulary Finder from www.medicare.gov.

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Information for Providers

CMS Web site full of information specifically for providers about the new drug benefit.

A National Conversation – Friends and Family First Toolkit

To address initial issues and concerns of Medicare Part D implementation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsored a national television program, “Medicare Rx: A National Conversation.” View the program as it appeared on television, or read the pdf as it guides you through five simple steps to understanding a complex plan.

AAFP Resources

Your national Academy has pulled together a trove of helpful resources and posted them on the AAFP Web site. There you’ll find a list of five important questions to ask your patients to help them prepare for choosing a plan, another great FAQ list, and a link to download the Toolkit for Health Care Professionals that CMS has put together. Also check out AAFP’s familydoctor.org and to consider for patient referral to a tool that breaks down each Medicare Part D detail.

CMS provider center

In a direct video address to providers, CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D., offers the most recent information about the Medicare Part D transition. He mentions several tools for physicians, also listed below, to help patients understand and use the new program effectively.

Epocrates

AAFP provides a link to Epocrates, a California-based company that provides free software downloads for Part D formularies. Information is available on formulary status, drug coverage and co-payment tiers and alternative and generic drug options.

CMS formulary information page

Over 1,500 phone numbers across the nation comprise CMS’ pharmacy technical support phone list. Pharmacists can use the numbers to contact a Part D drug plan with any technical issues. Download the list from the CMS formulary information page.

Pharmacist-to-Physician Fax Form

Countless accounts of long, frustrating lines at the pharmacy pepper the news coverage as both patients and pharmacists spend hours untangling problems with prescription coverage. The American Medical Association provides information on CMS’ Pharmacist-to-Physician Fax Form that may be used by pharmacists to alert physicians of problems with patient prescriptions during the Medicare Part D transition and implementation period.

Drug Coverage Determination Form

If you need information on a prescription exemption or appeal, the drug coverage determination form presents a series of fields and checkboxes to help you communicate effectively to the Medicare drug plan.

Important dates

Jan. 1, 2006 | Coverage begins for those enrolled by Dec. 31.

May 15, 2006 | Last day to enroll without paying a premium penalty unless you qualify for an exception.

5 questions to ask your Medicare patients

Write down the names and dosages of all prescription drugs that you are taking. This information will be important to decide on the right plan for you.
Do you have drug coverage through a former employer; union; or Medigap? If so, you should have gotten a letter explaining the drug coverage. Keep the letter so that you can compare the current coverage to the new plans.
List the cost and what you currently pay for drugs (if you have drug coverage through the above organizations).
List the name, address and phone number for pharmacies you like to use.
If you have a limited income or modest means, you can call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to apply for extra help. You may also have gotten a letter from the SSA asking you to apply.

Source: AAFP Web site