Looking for a good idea for a Part D story...

Interested in writing about Medicare Part D, but looking for a new angle? We've got what you are looking for. We have compiled the following list of Part D related stories

 

-         Communicating with Part D enrollees.  Will beneficiaries understand the 100+ page notice they get from plans this Fall?  Will they understand how the plan has changed?  That they have a right to change plans?  That if they are low income they may have already been moved to another plan?

 

-         The Annual Enrollment Period begins November 15 and lasts through December 31.  How many beneficiaries will actually use this period to evaluate plan changes and select a new plan?  Only 1.3 million beneficiaries affirmatively chose to switch to another plan.  A CMS survey of 600 seniors revealed that 15% were unaware of the Annual Enrollment Period and 50% did not review their ‘current’ coverage. Only 34% of seniors surveyed compared their ‘current’ coverage to alternative plans and only half of those conducted a ‘thorough’ comparison (evaluated premium, deductible or co-pays, and coverage).  Does the market-based approach to health care work when plans change every year, but beneficiaries don’t?  If plans don’t have to worry that beneficiaries will change, what incentive do they have for improving service or lowering costs?

 

-         Reassignment.  How many LIS enrollees will have to switch plans in 2008 because their plans costs rose?  What happens to these enrollees?  Are they told what is happening?  Will they understand their options?

  

-         Is it true, as health plan lobbyists often claim, that Medicare Advantage plans serve as a ‘safety net’ for low income beneficiaries?What services do Medicare Advantage plans provide that Medicaid doesn’t?  Are Medicaid beneficiaries helped or hurt by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan?

 

-         If 40% of Part D enrollees qualify for the Low Income Subsidy, why aren’t plans required to tailor annual notices to these beneficiaries?  Why are these LIS beneficiaries given information about plan costs, coverage gaps and enrollment rules that do not apply to them?

 

-         What changes could be made to Part D to improve the benefit for low income beneficiaries?  Is there an legislation out there that would make these improvements?

 

-         Does the low income subsidy provide enough help?  Are low-income people able to afford the subsidized cost sharing?  How do dual eligibles cope with the transition from $0 co-pays (under Medicaid) to co-pays of over $5 (under Part D)?

 

-         Built on the backs of the poor.  LIS recipients make up 40% of all Part D enrollees.  Part D plans are paid more for covering these enrollees.  Where would Part D plans be without LIS eligible enrollees? 

 

-         How does CMS monitor reports of Part D problems?  Do they have a system for recording and tracking reports of problems with plans?  For reports of problems with CMS and 1-800MEDICARE?  How do they act on information they receive?  Are any affirmative measures in place to ensure that beneficiaries aren’t having trouble getting their medications?