Abstract
This paper aims to inform the readers on how the implementation of Medicare Part D brought an impact to the beneficiaries, and how this impact affects the Federal legislation. You’ll find here how these Medicare beneficiaries and concerned organizations were benefitted during its initial launching, but became weary of its implementation later. With its declining effect and popularity to the people, it’s interesting to know what will be the step that the Federal government will take to settle the problems brought by this program based on the recommendation of stakeholders.
I. Introduction: Many people have predicted that the implementation of Medicare Part D for the benefit of beneficiaries who didn’t have drug coverage would create problems on the part of their families, organizations that serve the elderly and health care providers because of its complex design and tight timeframe (Payne, 2008). Is the prediction right? As you read along, you’ll realize its impact on its own implementation, and how it influenced the final outcome of the legislation.
II. Body: It appears that these people are right in predicting because according to news reports and nationwide surveys conducted, it was revealed that the program is problematic due to its complex mechanics (O’Keefe, 2007). However, respondents to the survey claimed several positive effects in the implementation of Part D for Medicare beneficiaries. They said that there was a decrease in spending for drugs on the part of beneficiaries, and their screening for other low-income benefits has increased like the Medicare Savings Program. This resulted in significant savings for beneficiaries, and their becoming more active in handling their own medications. That’s the good news, but it is overwhelmed by negative responses from respondents who revealed that the implementation of this program brought more problems to them than make their life easier. The scheme is confusing due to several plan options offered to them, gaps in coverage, and poor information given to them to pick the right plan. In essence, the implementation of Part D is an added burden to all people and organizations concerned.
III. Conclusion: As per recommendation from stakeholders, the federal government is now studying how to simplify the benefits, provide more time to implement changes, and reassess some of Part D’s rules, policies, and cost-saving mechanisms. Moreover, concerned citizens and organizations recommended to the federal policy makers to implement tighter regulations and standards, as well as monitoring of Part D program implementation.
References
Payne, Susan & Fox Kimberly. The Impact of Medicare Prescription Drug Part D Coverage on
Dual Eligibles and Drugs for the Elderly Enrollees and on the Organizations that Serve
Them, published Jan., 2008.
Retrieved from: http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/Publications/ihp/PartDImpact
DualEligibles.pdf
O’Keefe, Gena & Veale, Lisa. A Public Health Response to Implementation of
Medicare Part D. Jan.-Feb., 2007.
Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1802116/
