Bill Would Eliminate Part D Co-pay for HCBS Recipients

Thanks and a hat tip to Dan Berland < dberland@NASDDDS.ORG >

Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) has reintroduced legislation to
eliminate Medicare Part D co-payments for low-income residents of
assisted living and residential care facilities and others receiving
home and community-based services (HCBS) under Medicaid. The Medicare
Part D Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act of 2009 (H.R.
1407) would extend the same protection from Part D co-pays afforded to
dual eligibles living in institutions to those residing in the
community. Ben Nelson (D-NE) has introduced a companion bill in the
Senate (S. 534).
Congress exempted dual eligibles living in long term care facilities
such as ICFs/MR and nursing homes from any cost-sharing for Part D
prescription drugs in the original Part D legislation. Passage of this
legislation would eliminate Part D co-payments for about 1 million dual
eligible beneficiaries, including residents of assisted living and
residential care as well as other licensed facilities such as group
homes for people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities,
psychiatric health facilities and mental health rehabilitation centers.
Dual eligibles receiving services under home and community-based waivers
in a home setting would also be relieved of Part D co-payments under the
bill.
FMI: To read the bill or track its progress, go to
http://thomas.loc.gov/

and search for bill number HR 1407 or S 534.