New Medicare Bill

[Brill]

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I'm sure all of you heard that the new Medicare bill passed the Senate yesterday. If and when Bush signs it into law (he says that he will) how do you think this will impact the practice of pharmacy?

I've heard some numbers thrown around like Walgreens alone would need to hire 60% of all new pharmacy graduates over the next 5-10 years just to keep up with the increase in prescriptions. I've also heard some concerns over it though. How do y'all think it will impact pharmacy?

Here's an article about it: http://www.pharmacist.com/articles/h_ts_0422.cfm

Another interesting note from that article: "There is also good news for pharmacists in the legislation. Under the plan, they will be designated as eligible Medicare providers by virtue of the plan paying for their services. Pharmacists will be compensated for Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS) designed for targeted beneficiaries, to make sure that covered Part D drugs are used appropriately."

 

[Triangulation]

Yeah we went over it last wk in our econ course. there's a $5 billion allocation for pharmacist consultation/cognitive service. My prof was pretty ecstatic about that. it's not much, but it definitely paves the way for future and better reimbursement for cognitive service. I was pretty amazed.

 

[jdpharmd?]

Originally posted by Brill

I've heard some numbers thrown around like Walgreens alone would need to hire 60% of all new pharmacy graduates over the next 5-10 years just to keep up with the increase in prescriptions.

One of our professors recently said that Walgreens could hire 100% of all graduating pharmacists and still not have as many as they want for their world domination plan (9,000 stores by 2010 or whatever). I guess it's somewhat comforting, if not disturbing. As for the medicare bill, I haven't read enough to comment yet, but I suspect we will hear about it in class on Monday.

 

[jdpharmd?]

Bump.

I want to hear more thoughts about this. Is it a blessing or a curse?

 

[GravyRPH]

I don't know. I don't know enough about it, but I've only heard negative remarks so far.

 

[Triangulation]

It's one of those "where do you stand to gain" kinda scenarios.

As far as true beneficence to the pt/consumer it blows. It's not nearly what it should and doesn't even approach to solve the problem of rx coverage in the future (it's still gonna be bankrupt virtually as fast.) that's why the dems were so pissed. AARP went along w/it bc it's the only deal out there. Ideally, AARP would held out for a better deal, but they wanted w.e. they could get.

As far as pharmacist empowerment it is good. The allocations for pharmaceutical care set a beautiful precedent for the evolution of pharmacy. Anyone that's thinking clinical or appreciates providing pt counseling should at least nod their head to that.

 

[LVPharm]

Originally posted by Triangulation
AARP went along w/it bc it's the only deal out there. Ideally, AARP would held out for a better deal, but they wanted w.e. they could get.

Doesn't the AARP sell drug discount cards and Medigap supplemental drug insurance? I'm not so sure that the AARP is truly representing the majority of seniors like they used to...they seem to be a business these days, and this bill represents millions of $$ to AARP...and the PBMs they do business with.

Oh, and until this bill takes effect in 2006, they'll be using drug discount cards.

 

[Triangulation]

I'm not so sure that the AARP is truly representing the majority of seniors like they used to...they seem to be a business these days, and this bill represents millions of $$ to AARP...and the PBMs they do business with.

You're right LV. that's what a lot of peeps especially the democrats on the hill are saying. They were saying that the aarp lobby is becoming more and more like big tobacco in its mission and that seniors' interests aren't really being met. in our health care delivery class we broke down the numbers really quickly and it doesn't even approach solving the problem.

I'll have to read more about it. I actually think it has sweeping impact, and it kinda just snuck through.

 

[baggywrinkle]

Analysis: All not rosy with new drug bill
Not everyone benefits from the new Medicare drug legislation, according to one writer, who contends that small pharmacies will suffer from mandatory discounts that squeeze already tight profits. Hundreds of rehabilitation clinics will likely close due to lack of funding, Chris Mondics writes, and many elderly poor who once received drugs free will have to make co-payments of up to $3 per prescription. The Philadelphia Inquirer (12/5)

 

[Triangulation]

It's getting even weirder on the Hill, there's an investigation that legislators we're offered deals by industry execs to support the bill.

My preceptor was pretty weirded by the bill, he figures it's gonna gut his profits even more.

A lot of insurance cos are trying to decide whether they're gonna offer the discount cards that wil appear next year or just set-up their plans for when the bill officially kicks in in 2006.

It's changing everything.

 

[Triangulation]

Me, Liz, and another classmate are studying the whole workings of this bill for our health care delivery final tomorrow mornin at 9. Wish us luck.

 

[J Lucas]

Me, Liz, and another classmate are studying the whole workings of this bill for our health care delivery final tomorrow mornin at 9. Wish us luck.

What ever became of this?