Family physicians can track health insurance companies' Medicare Part D formularies through a free download from Epocrates Inc.
The company is offering this ability through its Epocrates Rx software, a free program that allows physicians to download formularies for each Medicare Part D plan offered in the United States. Information available includes
- formulary status,
- drug coverage and copayment tiers, and
- alternative and generic drug options.
In addition, the program provides monographs on brand and generic medications and a multiple-drug interaction checker.
After downloading Epocrates Rx, physicians can get instructions for downloading plans' formularies on either their PDA or their computer, according to Erica Sniad, Epocrates spokeswoman.
The company's Web site also offers basic information about Medicare Part D prescription benefits, resources for providers and information for patients.
"Epocrates really stepped up to the plate," said Robert Bennett, spokesman for the Physicians Regulatory Issues Team at CMS. The program's features, he noted, describe a given medication's tier, its generic alternatives and other information that can help physicians prescribe the most appropriate and cost-effective medications for their patients.
The Medicare Part D prescription drug program "went live" Jan. 1. At the time, more than 21 million elderly and disabled beneficiaries were enrolled in a drug coverage plan, according to a CMS news release. Medicare beneficiaries have until May 15 to enroll in a prescription plan. After that date, patients will begin accruing a 1 percent per month increase in the premium they pay for plans they select.
