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Medicare Part D Coverage and Its Influence on Transplant Patients' Out‐of‐Pocket Prescription Expenses
Author(s) -
Chisholm M. A.,
Roberts E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2006.01371.x
Subject(s) - medicine , formulary , medicare part d , prescription drug , medical prescription , family medicine , pharmacy , health insurance , health care , actuarial science , nursing , business , economics , economic growth
Since Medicare is available for qualifying individuals because of age (65 years or greater), disability, or end‐stage renal disease, many transplant recipients have Medicare coverage. Everyone who is entitled to Medicare will qualify to enroll in a Part D plan—a voluntary prescription drug coverage option offered by private insurance companies who meet the standards established by Medicare. The addition of Medicare Part D may help reduce out‐of‐pocket medication expenses for transplant recipients who have Medicare; however, the reality of utilizing Part D to maximize recipients' benefits is not simple, but rather complicated. The intricacies of Part D involve not only understanding premium costs and benefit stages, but formularies, and, particularly for transplant patients, deciphering how Medicare Part B immunosuppressant coverage influences Part D coverage. This article details significant information concerning Part D that transplant health care professionals should know in order to maximize patients' benefits and minimize their out‐of‐pocket medication expenses.