ALFA offers guidance on Medicare drug cards

Nursing Homes, June, 2004 by Douglas J. Edwards

Residents bewildered by the new Medicare-approved prescription drug discount card program probably will be looking to caregivers for answers, and the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) offers help for its equally befuddled members in a recently released guidance paper. ALFA recommends that assisted living communities work closely with staff, residents, and families to help ensure that everyone understands the program's specifics, such as eligibility requirements, the enrollment process, and the potential cost savings various drug cards offer. ALFA says not to forget to mention that some discount cards have a mail-order option, which could alter the current community process for drug delivery.

"It is important that we as providers take the time to consider all of the implications, be they financial, resident health and safety, or delivery of care, and how those issues should shape our efforts regarding this new program," says Beth Cayce, chair of the ALFA Prescription Drug Workgroup and CEO of CaraVita Senior Care Management Services, Inc. "Doing so will help ensure that we serve our residents' best interests as fully as possible."

ALFA members who did not receive the guidance paper at the organization's conference in May can access it at the Members Only section of ALFA's Web site (www.alfa.org).

Meanwhile, for nursing home residents the Long Term Care Pharmacy Alliance (LTCPA), in conjunction with ACS State Healthcare, LLC, is offering the LTC Card to help qualified SNF residents access the $600 annual credit. LTCPA represents four major national LTC pharmacies--Kindred Pharmacy Services, Omnicare, Neighbor-Care, and PharMerica.