We Needed Speedier Pharmacist Payments Under Medicare D - 41 Congressmen Sign Letter To Support Prompt Payments By Plan Providers
"We are making a very reasonable request," said Gingrey. "I've heard from scores of independent pharmacists in my district, and they've all told me the same thing: delayed reimbursements are threatening their livelihood. Remember, our pharmacists are small businessmen, and like all small businesses in our communities, they depend on revenue to keep the lights on. By ensuring these pharmacists receive timely payments, we are ensuring they can continue providing our seniors with vital medications."
Please see the attached PDF for a copy of the letter and Member signatures. Below is the text of the letter:
Dear Dr. McClellan,
As the Medicare Part D benefit enters its sixth month, we want to take the opportunity to congratulate you and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on your diligence to implement this program efficiently and effectively. The success of this program is illustrated by the overwhelming number of seniors enjoying prescription drug coverage, now over 38 million. Congress is encouraged to see that competition has driven the average monthly premium to $25 from the original estimate of $37, saving seniors even more money. Centering this program on market driven principles has lowered the overall price tag by nearly $60 billion over the next ten years.
As we look to 2007 and the relationship between CMS and the Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs), it is important to take the lessons learned from the first months of this program and apply it to the 2007 contract year. We applaud the guidance CMS provided in its call letter to the PDPs sent in April. It is important to highlight the expectations the government has of companies that want to do business with America's seniors, however we believe the instructions given to the PDPs in regards to their dealings with pharmacists do not go far enough. There is no disagreement that those responsible for the successful implementation of this program are our dedicated pharmacists. They have shouldered the brunt of time, energy and resources to ensure their customers were taken care of and that America's seniors received their life-saving medication.
It is for this reason that we believe CMS needs to make certain our pharmacies are being treated fairly in the business of Medicare Part D. We believe that the competitive forces drawn into this program are solely responsible for keeping the price tag in check and we want the program to continue in this regard. Included in your 2007 Call Letter, CMS took a number of positive steps toward this end, including, but not limited to: effective data systems to determine beneficiary's enrollment and prescription co-payment, sponsor call center performance with regards to beneficiaries and pharmacists, and prohibiting co-branding on member identification cards.
However, we believe there are two provisions that should be included in the evaluation criteria given to the PDPs for participation in the Part D program for CY2007. PDPs should be required to adhere to a prompt payment schedule when reimbursing pharmacies. In order to participate in Medicare Part D for CY2007, we believe PDPs must reimburse pharmacies within 14 days from when the prescription is filled. Also, every participating PDP must offer electronic direct deposit as an option for pharmacies to be paid electronically rather than with a paper check.
Our pharmacists are small business owners who support our communities. They are imperative in the healthcare delivery system of our country and any federal government program needs to treat them as such. Sincerely,
[Signatures, Members of Congress]
http://www.gingrey.house.gov
Avem nevoie de rapide farmacistului plãþilor în cadrul Medicare D - 41 congresmani Înregistraþi scrisoare de suport Prompt plãþi prin Planul Providers - We Needed Speedier Pharmacist Payments Under Medicare D - 41 Congressmen Sign Letter To Support Prompt Payments By Plan Providers - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate