Medicare & the Morellis

What obstacles would Ms. Morelli and older individuals like her encounter in getting their medications through this program? Given the high cost of current medications and the fact that most elderly live on fixed incomes, what can local, state, and federal agencies do to help the elderly obtain necessary medicines?

How high on the national agenda should this goal be, particularly in the context of the discussions on health care reform.

The Donut Hole

The Donut Hole

More than 25% of Part D participants are estimated to

stop following their medication regimen when they hit the donut hole As part of the Affordable Care Act, since 2010, monthly checks of $250 have been mailed to Medicare participants By 2020, the donut hole will hopefully be eliminated (the 2010 Health Reform bill is creating discounts on prescription drugs, giving rebates, etc.)
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100812/GJNEWS_01/708129744/ 0/FOSNEWS

Other changes from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
More (sometimes total) coverage for preventive

services (mammograms, colonoscopies) More coverage for primary care Increased premiums for high-income beneficiaries More low-income subsidies for medication
http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=17

Other sources of funding

Some states provide State Pharmaceutical Assistance

Programs (SPAPs) Some drug companies have Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (PAPs) Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a Medicare+Medicaid program that help with coverage
http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/medicaland-drug-costs.aspx

Survey results from Public Agenda, a nonprofit survey organization based in New York.

http://www.publicagenda.org/citizen/issueguides/medicare/publicview/people-

http://www.publicagenda.org/citizen/issueguides/medicare/publicview/people-

http://www.publicagenda.org/citizen/issueguides/medicare/publicview/people-