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MANAGED CARE August 2006. ©MediMedia USA
News and Commentary
So far, experts like what they see in Part D
Health care opinion leaders so far think Medicare Part D is a success, though changes are needed to the program, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund. Between June 1 and June 19, 1,246 health care experts were solicited online, with 180 responding.
Commenting on the survey, Karen Ignagni, of America's Health Insurance Plans, calls the drug benefit "one of this country's most remarkable success stories...." Though she, too, believes that more can be done.
"Now that the first-ever Part D enrollment period has ended, how much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?"
Percent saying agree or strongly agree
Enacting Medicare Part D was, on balance, good for beneficiaries
The current benefit structure, which includes a coverage gap, will, on balance, help beneficiaries who are most vulnerable to high drug costs
Making Medicare drug coverage available through private plans only was, on balance, good for beneficiaries
"Please select which change, if any, would be your highest priority."
Percent saying agree or strongly agree
Fill in the coverage gap by some combination of increased copayments and additional government funding
Eliminate the assets test needed to qualify for a low-income subsidy
Allow plans to offer coverage through the coverage gap as an option to the enrollee, with an additional premium, without pushing back the catastrophic coverage threshold
Raise the income level needed to qualify for a low-income subsidy
None of these
Source: The Commonwealth Fund Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey, July 2006
http://www.cmwf.org/surveys/surveys_show.htm?doc_id=382509