FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., Oct. 3 Gaps in prescription drug coverage and care can have serious health consequences for seniors, particularly the 80 percent of Americans 65 and older living with chronic illness. Bridging those gaps by providing Medicare Part D beneficiaries with personalized information and tools to manage their medication costs and drug treatments can make all the difference.
Personalized information and tools are the cornerstones of Medco Health Solutions, Inc.'s (NYSE: MHS) 2009 Medco Medicare Prescription Plan(TM) options. The three different plans available - Access, Choice and Value - can help beneficiaries select affordable coverage options while also providing assistance to help them manage their conditions with the expertise of specialist pharmacists dedicated to the treatment of chronic illnesses.
The Medco Medicare Prescription Plan portfolio consists of the following:
"While our different plan options address beneficiaries' particular pharmacy needs, all three plans provide beneficiaries with the information, tools and services that assist them in making the most of their benefit," said David B. Snow Jr., Medco Chairman and CEO. "We recognize that the Coverage Gap is especially challenging for beneficiaries to navigate, so all three of our plan options focus on ways to help them delay or avoid reaching the Gap, in addition to helping them remain compliant on their medications if they do reach it."
A recent study by Medco shows Medicare beneficiaries on cholesterol-lowering drugs were nearly twice as likely to stop taking their medications once they reached the Coverage Gap, than they were in the initial phase of the benefit. The research also found that patients using a generic drug were more likely to take their medications continuously than those using a brand-name medication.
Medco's gap alert system helps keep members informed of their proximity to the Coverage Gap. All Medco Medicare Prescription Plan beneficiaries receive outbound mail and phone alerts that track their prescription drug spending in relation to the Gap, and are reminded of their Gap status when they call customer service for any reason.
In addition to the gap alert system, the following tools and services are available to all Medco Medicare plan members to help them better manage their health and ensure the safety of their medications, as well as aid them in making cost-effective choices that can keep them out of the Coverage Gap:
All three plan design options within Medco's PDP are available in 35 Medicare regions, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Enrollment for the 2009 plan year begins Nov. 15, 2008 with coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2009. Those interested in learning more about the Medco Medicare Prescription Plan options can visit www.medcomedicare.com, or call toll-free 1-800-758-3605. TTY/TDD udders should call 1-800-716-3231.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is the nation's leading pharmacy benefit manager based on its 2007 total net revenues of more than $44 billion. Medco's prescription drug benefit programs, covering approximately one-in-five Americans, are designed to drive down the cost of pharmacy health care for private and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of all sizes, for individuals served by the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, and those served by Medco's specialty pharmacy segment, Accredo Health Group. Medco, the world's most advanced pharmacy(R), is positioned to serve the unique needs of patients with chronic and complex conditions through its Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(R), including its enhanced diabetes pharmacy care practice through the Liberty acquisition. Medco is the highest-ranked independent pharmacy benefit manager on the 2008 Fortune 100 list. On the Net: 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.
-- Plan Options Offer Medicare Beneficiaries Affordable Access to the
medications they need with the personalized care they deserve
SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
Category:
