Content about Medicaid

BOSTON — A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that expanding Medicaid to low-income adults led to improved health and reduced mortality. It is the first published study to look specifically at the effect of recent state Medicaid expansions on mortality among low-income adults.

“I can’t hear you; I have a banana in my ear!”

-Ernie the Muppet


There is so much noise out there about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what it means for America that at times I wish I could just stick a banana in my ear — actually, make that two bananas, one for each ear.


As states grapple with tight budgets, rising Medicaid costs and the anticipated expansion of Medicaid following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, policymakers should consider how community pharmacists can help reduce expenses. In addition, new evidence offers a fresh reminder of the perils of managed care in Medicaid and the need for proper oversight of managed care entities.

WASHINGTON — While the Supreme Court on Thursday morning left the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mostly intact, the court did rule that Congress cannot withhold federal Medicaid spending from a state that does not expand its eligibility requirements under the act.

Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid was to be transformed into a program to meet the healthcare needs of the entire nonelderly population with income below 133% of the poverty level.

If you're an independent pharmacist trying to make ends meet in the state of Texas, good luck. A shift in the way the Lone Star State pays for Medicaid — as enacted by Texas legislature — is hammering many pharmacies, according to a June 14 report from the Texas Tribune, as reported in the New York Times.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Ohio's Medicaid program has decided not to establish a competitive bidding and mandatory mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday drafted a letter to the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services regarding the latest federal upper limit guidelines that the association characterizes as "getting worse with regard to the negative economic impact [to community pharmacies], not better."

I am the 99%. And thank God for that. But it’s not what you think. This isn’t about radical politics and class warfare. I’m not looking to tax the 1%. I just want them to take better care of themselves. And I’m definitely not the only one. More and more, payers, insurers and big government are all looking at ways to get this group to live a little healthier. 


WASHINGTON — The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs to beef up its oversight on Medicare Part D submissions from retail pharmacy, according to an Office of Inspector General report published last week.

The OIG suggested CMS strengthen a MEDIC's ability to track pharmacy billing (MEDICs — Medicare Drug Integrity Contractors — are private organizations who are contracted by CMS to assist in anti-fraud and abuse efforts) and improve compliance plan audits, specifically targeting independent pharmacies and pharmacies in urban locales.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, now is providing wellness services for Medicare enrollees at all Take Care Clinic locations throughout the country, the retail health clinic operator announced on Thursday.

The Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visits and Medicare Yearly Wellness Visits are wellness services for Medicare enrollees, which include screenings for a number of common conditions, as well as education and counseling to encourage wellness and prevent disease.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has submitted official comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding its proposed rule on Medicaid pharmacy reimbursement using the average manufacturer price model. The AMP model was reformed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday released the program for its 2012 Legislative Conference meeting, which will bring community pharmacists and some of Washington, D.C.’s most senior decision-makers together to discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues.