Advising Medicare Beneficiaries - Medco's 2012 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Helps Members Get the Most Value from Their Benefits
Offers $0 co-payment for a 90-day supply of generics through mail, coverage in the Gap, and more than 3,000 covered prescription drugs
Popular brand-drug patent expirations represent more than $9 billion in savings for Medicare beneficiaries
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With open enrollment season underway, Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is providing a team of advisors to help Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in Medco Medicare Prescription Plan® (PDP)* understand some of the crucial changes in the Medicare Part D benefit for the 2012 plan year. Some important elements are changing this year, most notably the enrollment deadline (now December 7th rather than December 31st), and additional discounts available in the Coverage Gap.
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The 2012 Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) includes two robust plan options, Choice and Value, allowing Medicare beneficiaries to select a plan that best suits their individual healthcare needs. The 2012 Medco Medicare PDP earned the highest overall quality and performance rating granted to a national plan – 4 Stars –from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS).**
"Beneficiaries are looking for plans that provide them with the prescription medications they need, while helping them delay the Coverage Gap," said Mary Daschner, Group President, Medco Medicare & Medicaid Solutions. "It's not just a low premium that helps lower out-of-pocket costs. With the support of our Medco Medicare Advisors, we help our Medicare members better understand how to maximize their benefits. Our members can save an average of $303 a year and delay entering the Coverage Gap by as many as 50 days.*** This can make a big difference for them."
Using generic medications instead of brand-name drugs is an important way that Medicare beneficiaries can lower their overall costs. Frequently used drugs taken by the Medicare population, such as Lipitor®, Lexapro®, Seroquel®, and Singulair®, which account for more than $31 billion dollars in retail sales, are expected to come off patent in 2012 – representing a potential of more than $9.4 billion in incremental savings opportunities.
"Medco Medicare Advisors help alert beneficiaries when a brand-name drug becomes available as a generic medication, and can help them work with their doctors to understand if the generic may work for them," continues Daschner.
Medco Medicare Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can also help beneficiaries better understand their plan and will alert beneficiaries when they approach the Coverage Gap. Additionally, Medco pharmacists are available to provide clinical support and guidance to help avoid beneficiaries potentially harmful drug interactions and to answer any questions – even in the middle of the night.
The Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) portfolio consists of the following:
- Choice plan option, which features a $0 co-payment for a 90-day supply of Preferred Generic drugs (Tier 1) by mail from the first day of coverage through the Coverage Gap
- Value plan option, which offers a lower-premium plan option with the same level of access to thousands of medications and clinical support
In addition to providing access to more than 3,000 covered prescription drugs, thousands of pharmacy locations, and desirable plan features, both options feature Medco's dedicated team of professionals that provides personalized service to help Medicare beneficiaries stretch their dollars and ensure the safety and accessibility of their medications.
The Value plan option is offered in all 50 states; the Choice plan option is available in 33 states. Both plan options are available in Puerto Rico.
Enrollment for the 2012 plan year began October 15, 2011 and ends December 7, 2011 with coverage beginning on January 1, 2012. Those interested in learning more about the Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) options can visit www.medcomedicare.com, or call toll-free 1-866-544-3794. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-716-3231.
*A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor
**A 2012 4-star-rated plan in 49 states and 3.5 stars in NY. Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next
***Medco Health Solutions, Inc., "Delaying Entry to Coverage Gap by use of Generics and/or Mail Service" study, August 2011. Based on beneficiaries enrolled in Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) with a Coverage Gap stage during the 2010 plan year. Excludes Dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibles and Low-Income Subsidy enrollees. Patient savings may vary based on annual benefit changes.
Disclaimers
Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) is a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor.
The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is pioneering The World's Most Advanced Pharmacy® and its clinical research and innovations are part of Medco Making Medicine Smarter® for approximately 65 million members.
With more than 20,000 employees worldwide dedicated to improving patient health and reducing costs for a wide range of public and private sector clients, and 2010 revenues of $66 billion, Medco ranks 34th on the 2011 Fortune 500 list and is named among the world's most innovative, most admired and most trustworthy companies.
For more information, go to http://www.medcohealth.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
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