Medicare Prescription Drug Policies
Medicare Part D
Although the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or Part D, has been viewed by some as largely successful, TSCL believes this program remains flawed.
The price of many prescription drugs dramatically increased after the benefit was implemented and continues to do so. This is due in large part to the cost of brand name and specialty drugs for which there is no generic or lower-cost alternative. These medications are often placed in “specialty tiers” that significantly drive up out-of-pocket costs and can cause beneficiaries to hit the doughnut-hole gap in coverage sooner.
The PPACA promises to gradually close the “doughnut hole” by 2020 and provide 50 percent discounts for covered brand name drugs and a smaller discount for generic drugs, for those who hit the doughnut hole in 2011. However, the way the doughnut hole is closed contains flaws and deserves a second look. TSCL was also disappointed when the health care reform law expanded “means testing” to Medicare Part D.
TSCL supports efforts to increase and improve outreach to seniors, especially those individuals that could qualify for the Extra Help program. Simplifying and streamlining the application process would also be a vast improvement to the program. In addition to improving Medicare Part D, TSCL will continue to seek other potential solutions for lowering the price of drugs for America’s seniors.