Prescription Advantage Cuts
Medicare D Premium Assistance

Due to the current nationwide economic situation, and its impact on Massachusetts, the current fiscal year budget for the Prescription Advantage program has been cut, resulting in a benefits change. Effective January 1, 2010, Prescription Advantage will no longer subsidize the monthly premium for Medicare prescription drug plans (“Medicare Part D”). This includes subsidies to both stand-alone prescription drug plans (PDPs) and managed care plans (MA-PDs).

Those receiving the Medicare D Low Income Subsidy (also known as Extra Help) will now be responsible for the portion of the premium not covered by Extra Help.

Prescription Advantage co-payment assistance and donut-hole coverage remain unchanged.

Prescription Advantage began mailing letters to members affected by this change on Friday, November 13.

Be aware that this change may cause some confusion, especially among members who have not previously been billed or had to pay for any portion of their Part D plan premium. All Prescription Advantage communications with affected members will emphasize the necessity of the member paying the plan’s monthly premium at the risk of losing their Part D coverage and accompanying Prescription Advantage co-pay assistance.

-From: “Bulletin: 2010 Prescription Advantage Plan Changes”, Prescription Advantage, November 16, 2010 and “ Changes to Prescription Advantage” e-mail, Kim Simonian, MPH, Associate Director, Patient Access, Partners HealthCare Community Benefit Programs, November 16, 2009.

11/09