SAN MATEO, CALIF., January 4, 2007
Thousands of Changes to Medicare Part D Impacts Millions of Patients
Physicians, Pharmacists and Patients Unclear about Program Changes in the New Year
WHAT: As of January 1, thousands of coverage changes to the Medicare Part D went into effect, leaving patients confused and seeking help from their clinicians once again. In addition to more than 40 new plans in 2007, there were extensive modifications to existing plans, ranging from pricing and coverage changes, to different plan names. To help navigate these changes, Epocrates, Inc. was the first to make the updated Medicare Part D 2007 information available to clinicians through its free drug and formulary reference guide. By accessing Epocrates online or via a mobile device, clinicians can quickly and conveniently look up patient-specific Medicare coverage in the exam room or during a phone consultation to discuss how the changes impact the patient’s drug coverage or if cost increases can be expected.
WHY: Currently, 43 million elderly and disabled Americans are eligible for the Medicare Part D program. There are more than 1,400 unique Medicare insurance plan names, and each available plan differs in terms of which drugs are covered and how much they cost. In California alone, there are 200 participating Part D plans for which patients may enroll – an increase of more than 40 plans from 20061. The sheer number of plans and coverage options makes it impossible for clinicians to keep track of their individual patients’ coverage. By using Epocrates, physicians and pharmacists can answer patients’ questions and ensure the most cost-effective medications are prescribed. By updating and maintaining all of the Medicare plans, Epocrates is greatly simplifying administration of drug plans for healthcare professionals, providing immediate answers to patient questions, and freeing up more time to focus on patient care.
HOW: Beginning January 1, the more than 500,000 healthcare professionals that actively use Epocrates products had access to the updated coverage information. Other healthcare professionals seeking a reliable source for the most current Medicare information can access the Epocrates formulary reference via the Internet or download it to a mobile device at www.epocrates.com. For a complete list of the Medicare Part D plan name changes and additional information about the program, visit the Epocrates Medicare Resource center at www.epocrates.com/medicare.
1California HealthCare Foundation
CONTACT: Erica Sniad Morgenstern Epocrates Public Relations PHONE: (650) 227-6907 E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com WEB: www.epocrates.com