Hospice/Part D Coverage Coordination Issues
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On May 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)implemented guidance governing the coordination of prescription drug coverage for Part D-enrolled beneficiaries who have elected the hospice benefit. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has received numerous reports from hospices around the country indicating that implementation of CMS' prior authorization policy is causing serious difficulties for hospice patients/family members attempting to secure prescribed medications for terminally ill patients. Additionally, we understand that many hospices that reach out to Part D plans to establish an understanding regarding appropriate responsibility for prescription medications are encountering resistance from Part D plans. This survey seeks input from hospice providers about the problems that are arising relative to CMS' Part D/Hospice prior authorization policy for use in continuing advocacy on this issue. If you have questions regarding this survey or prefer to send your Part D/hospice stories by email, please contact Theresa Forster at tmf@nahc.org.