Autumn marks the beginning of enrollment for Medicare Part D prescription benefits for your Medicare-eligible patients, and you can expect an onslaught of questions in the coming months.
But, thanks to a new AAFP Web resource, "Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)," answering those questions just got easier.
The resource opens with a letter from AAFP President Mary Frank, M.D., of Mill Valley, Calif. In it, Frank explains the wealth of information available.
"The Academy recognizes that many of your elderly patients will be coming to you with questions about which drug plan they should join," Frank says in the letter. "We also realize that you do not have time to do the one-on-one counseling that is necessary for patients to make an informed plan decision.
"That's why the AAFP is partnering with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide downloadable materials to you, your office staff and your patients."
The collaboration between AAFP and CMS is part of a nationwide educational campaign to ensure that family physicians know how to help patients understand the new Medicare Part D benefits and determine the prescription drug plan that best meets their circumstances.
"The new drug coverage is the most important new benefit in Medicare in 40 years, because prescription drugs are so important for keeping your patients healthy," says CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., in a letter to physicians included as part of a toolkit.
The resource provides links to "FAQs: The New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage," a fact sheet that answers frequently asked questions, and the CMS "Healthcare Professionals Toolkit," which includes:
- a calendar that lists enrollment deadlines and dates for the beginning of Part D coverage;
- reproducible brochures and art for distribution to patients;
- "Coverage Good for You, Your Patients and America," a fact sheet for health care professionals;
- "Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Basics" fact sheets that explain the program, its formularies and its relationship with Medigap, retirement and other plans;
- "Quick Facts About Medicare's New Coverage for Prescription Drugs" for patient education; and
- "Quick Facts About Medicare's New Coverage for Prescription Drugs for People with Limited Income and Resources," which explains additional help available to beneficiaries who meet income eligibility requirements.
In addition to capitalizing on the toolkit resources, family physicians can refer patients to (800) MEDICARE [633-4227] or to Medicare.gov, CMS' official Medicare Web site, for a list of local organizations that can answer additional questions.
