More Medicare prescription drug program controversy!
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will automatically enroll six million U.S. residents eligible for Medicare and Medicaid prescription drug plans who have not selected a plan by January 1, 2006. Dual eligibles not automatically enrolled will still be allowed to fill prescriptions at pharmacies.
Consumer groups are concerned about beneficiaries’ rights. They’ve sued the federal government, alleging that “CMS has failed to enact adequate safe guards to ensure that beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid will not lose prescription drug coverage when their coverage switches from Medicaid to Medicare on Jan, 1, 2006.” (New York Times)
CMS contends it will make sure dual eligibles receive the drugs they need if not enrolled by January 1. Politicians are pushing to extend the deadline for enrolling in Medicare’s new drug program from May 15, 2006, to the end of 2006. More details can be found at Medical News Today.
