Number: RL34280
Title: Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit: A Primer
Authors: Jennifer O'Sullivan, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA, P.L.108-173) established a new voluntary prescription drug benefit under a new Medicare Part D, effective January 1, 2006. Prescription drug coverage is provided through private prescription drug plans (PDPs) or Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans. Beneficiaries must enroll in one of these private plans in order to obtain their drug benefits. The program relies on these private plans to provide coverage and to bear some of the financial risk for drug costs; federal subsidies covering the bulk of the risk are provided to encourage participation.
Pages: 51
Date: August 20, 2008