Recently Approved Medicare Provisions for Prescription Drugs and Medication Management Services

Objective: To review recent changes in Medicare affecting the practice of pharmacy. Data Sources: Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (2003–March 2004), LEXISNEXIS ACADEMIC (2003–March 2004), and LEXISNEXIS CONGRESSIONAL databases (2003–March 2004), using the key words Medicare, pharmacist, pharmacy, and drug costs. Additional references were located through review of the bibliographies of the articles cited and through searches of the Web sites for Medicare, Social Security, and the American Pharmacists Association. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Reports about Medicare and Medicare Part D were selected. Articles describing the history of Medicare and changes that impact pharmacy were included. Data Synthesis: The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MPDIMA) provides an optional prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries in 2006 as Medicare Part D. Before its full implementation, eligible Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for a temporary Medicare-approved Drug Discount Card. The prescription drug benefits will be administered by private entities. Other provisions of the MPDIMA affect pharmacy, including a provision for medication therapy management services to ensure that the covered Part D drugs are appropriately used. This will be the first time that Medicare provides for payment of pharmacist-administered patient care services. Conclusions: Recent changes in Medicare provide Medicare beneficiaries with optional coverage for prescription drugs. Full implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit will occur in 2006, with an interim Drug Discount Card available through December 2005.