MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-10-25 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Healthcare Industry
|
PRESS RELEASE: Survey: Physicians to consider charging for prescription
changes under Part D
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: ePharmaceuticals Customer Service
Phone: (877) 437-4276
Email: epharm-at-hcpro.com
Website: www.hcmarketplace.com
MARBLEHEAD, MA USA -- PHARMA UPDATE NEWS SERVICE(TM) -- OCTOBER 25,
2005: Physicians who are poorly reimbursed for treating Medicare
patients may reluctantly institute policies in which they would charge
patients for writing prescriptions when changes are needed in dose or
medication, a recent ePharmaceuticals survey reveals. "These Part D
changes will really stretch our office out in terms of time-and we're
not paid for it," says Eric Epstein, an internist who practices in
Georgetown, CT. "My colleagues feel the same way."
More than 20% of physicians surveyed by ePharmaceuticals will consider
charging patients for handling prescription changes once the Medicare
drug benefit starts in January.
"This is an extreme, but it's possible under Part D since physicians
just aren't paid for all the extra work the Medicare benefit will bring
to their offices," says Bryan Cote, editor of "Medicare & Reimbursement
Advisor Weekly," an industry newsletter which reported the survey
findings.
Dr. Joel Brill, who serves on Blue Shield of California's Pharmacy &
Therapeutics and HealthNet Infusion Committees, says a larger problem is
the lack of time physicians will have to work with patients under Part
D. "I just don't see docs spending time to discuss these changes," he
says, suggesting drug companies target pharmacists. Dr. Brill is worried
that Medicare prescription drug plans may entice patients to come into
plans with one offer and then cover the drug at a higher copay after a
few months-or decide they'll no longer cover it.
On December 6, Dr. Brill will be featured on a live panel discussion
along with Leslie Norwalk, deputy administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Howard Tag, founder of Tag and Associates,
and Mark Owen, Vice President and General Manager of Minnesota-based
Medica, a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan. Jeff Berkowitz, JD,
Vice President, U.S. Managed Markets, for Schering-Plough, will join the
panel for the Q&A portion of the audio.
Physician response to drug coverage by the myriad of Medicare-approved
drug plans and how the drug plans themselves will respond are among the
issues that will be addressed during the 90-minute Q&A-style discussion.
The audioconference, timed exactly three weeks into Part D enrollment,
will give an update into the state of enrollment. Attendees are
encouraged to submit anonymous questions in advance or call in their
questions anytime during the live program.
REGISTRATION:
To participate in Part D: A Panel Discussion of Challenges, Successes,
and Marketplace Responses, click below:
www.hcmarketplace.com/prod-3777-EZ41323A.html
or call 877-437-4276 and mention Source Code EZ41323A.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
State of Enrollment-CMS Update
Issues, problems, challenges since Nov 15
* Successes
* Outlook
* Physician Perspective
Impact on practices
* Impact on prescribing-How it may change given confusion
* Pharmacists: new target and opportunities under Part D
* Adapting to changing formularies
* Appeals process challenges
* Insurer's Perspective
Enrollment update for small regional insurer
* Problems, challenges and successes
* Formulary strategy
* How we'll handle new therapies on formulary
* Benefit design
* Outlook for 2006
* Manufacturer Action Points
Formulary implications
* Benefit structure (deductible, copay/coinsurance, donut hole)
implications
* Opportunities via appeals process
* 1st quarter and long-term considerations
* Live Q & A
Panel
Leslie Norwalk, Deputy Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services.
Mark Owen, Vice President & General Manager, Medica (Medicare
Advantage prescription drug plan),Center For Healthy Aging in
Minnetonka, Minnesota, is a proven leader in the development and
marketing of Medicare products nationally. In addition, his almost 30
years of leadership experience has focused on team building, change
management, effective mentoring, and the development of new business.
Joel V. Brill, MD, Gastroenterologist, Chief Medical Officer,
Predictive Health, LLC, performs predictive modeling analysis of medical
and pharmaceutical claims data and implements proactive care management
solutions. His areas of focus include coding and reimbursement
methodologies, insurance contracting strategies, disease management and
pharmaceutical analysis.
Jeff Berkowitz, JD, Vice President, U.S. Managed Markets,
Schering-Plough, leads managed care sales and marketing and is
responsible for developing and implementing managed markets strategies,
initiatives, and operations for all core brands in the United States. In
this role, he is responsible for gaining and maintaining profitable
formulary placement and managed care marketing within all managed
markets, including pharmacy benefit management organizations, HMOs,
medical groups, specialty pharmacies, and State and Federal
marketplaces. Mr. Berkowitz also serves as the Chair of the Company's
U.S. Pricing Team.
Howard Tag, Founder, Tag & Associates, P.C., provides U.S.
reimbursement counsel to biopharmaceutical, device and diagnostic
manufacturers around the world, and to investment and communication
firms that serve healthcare clients. Tag & Associates also represent
manufacturers to Medicare, Medicaid and all private insurers.
Bryan Cote (moderator), Editor, Medicare & Reimbursement Advisor
Weekly.
WHO SHOULD LISTEN:
Compliance Officers
* Managed markets
* National accounts
* Marketing
* Sales
* Contracting
* Government affairs
* Reimbursement
* Physicians
* ABOUT EPHARMACEUTICALS:
ePharmaceuticals, a division of Marblehead MA-based HCPro, Inc.,
provides business intelligence, compliance training, market research
reports, and custom publishing services to the pharmaceutical industry.
Publications include ePharm5, a daily business and marketing innovation
newsletter, Medicare & Reimbursement Advisor Weekly, and Compliance
Alert for Drug Sales and Marketing.
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