September 6, 2005

Medicare and Medicaid Patients Advised to be Ready for Changes
A representative of Missouri doctors says the word needs to get out that Medicare is changing prescription drug coverage, because too many Medicare and Medicaid recipients aren't aware of the pending changes. Doctor Neal LaPointe of Jefferson City with the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons says though Medicare will offer a range of plans from which to choose, choice might create more problems that it solves. Medicare plans to end its prescription drug coverage at it is offered now by the end of the year. Medicaid will no longer offer prescription drug coverage. LaPointe says Medicare and Medicaid recipients need to keep all the mail they are getting from the programs and have someone explain it to them if they don't understand it.

 Major Changes on the Way for Medicare-Medicaid Beneficiaries
More than 130,000 Missourians face a major change in their health care coverage. Medicare is switching its prescription drug coverage. Medicaid will no longer be providing coverage. Those who receive coverage under both plans will need to choose a new drug plan by the end of the year. Cindy Keele with the National Alliance for the Mentally ill is concerned recipients will not be able to understand the complicated letters being sent them. Keele advises recipients getting the letters to keep them. If they don't understand the letters, they should ask a friend or even a doctor to explain them so they can choose the Medicare drug plan that best suits them.

 Lawsuit Challenges Missouri Medicaid Reform Law
A lawsuit filed in federal court seeks a temporary restraining order to stop the Blunt Administration's Medicaid cuts from taking effect on September 1st. St. Louis area attorney Deborah Greider, who represents several of the plaintiffs, says the suit centers on only one aspect of the Medicaid reform law - the elimination of durable medical equipment such as breathing apparatus and hospital beds. She says these things are guaranteed by federal law under the Social Security Act. The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order as a prelude to an injunction stopping the cuts from taking place.

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