A CMS audit revealed that Fox Insurance Co consistently failed to follow Medicare regulations, imposing “unapproved prior authorization and step therapy criteria that made it more difficult for beneficiaries to get drugs that are protected by law,” including HIV, cancer, and seizure medications.
Monthly Archives: May 2013
ProPublica Study “Lift[s] the Veil on Dangerous Prescribing Practices”
Prescription data obtained by ProPublica shows widespread use of antipsychotics, narcotics and other drugs dangerous for older adults, but Medicare officials say it’s not their job to look for unsafe prescribing or weed out doctors with troubled backgrounds.
Full report from ProPublica posted here
Washington Post’s version can be found here
ProPublica explains their methodology here
As part of this study, ProPublica also released a website where the public can search for a prescriber by name and/or state, and view the number of prescriptions and cost, beneficiaries and specific drugs prescribed for prescribers in 2010.
Senators Voice Concern About Preferred Pharmacy Networks
A bipartisan group of 16 Senators is urging increased oversight of the growing use of preferred pharmacy networks in Medicare Part D. The Senators asked CMS to ensure that preferred networks are being implemented in a way consistent with statutory requirements focused on meeting beneficiary needs.
Low-Cognition Seniors and Medicare Choices
A Harvard Medical School study found that seniors with lower cognition and lower basic math abilities were less likely to enroll in Medicare Part D and less likely to apply for the low income subsidy if they did enroll in Part D.
AcuPartD 