Media Center - Rep. Hinojosa Joined More Than 200 Pharmacists to Call for Immediate Medicare Reform: Congressman Ruben Hinojosa Representing the 15th District of Texas

Rep. Hinojosa Joined More Than 200 Pharmacists to Call for Immediate Medicare Reform

Washington, DC (May 23, 2006) – {Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) joined more than 200 members of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) on Capitol Hill to call on Congress to enact H.R. 5182, the Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Claims Act of 2006. Congressman Hinojosa is an original co-sponsor of this legislation that will protect independent pharmacists from going out of business by ensuring that insurance companies do not provide inadequate and late reimbursement rates under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. The bill also promotes greater use of generics, saving taxpayers an estimated $94 for every generic prescription dispensed.

“The Medicare prescription drug benefit continues to place an overwhelming and unnecessary burden on our pharmacists,” Congressman Hinojosa said. "In the 15th District, people rely on their pharmacists – they are more than someone who fills prescriptions. If Congress does not act soon, our local pharmacists may have no choice but to close their doors, leaving patients without access to critical health care."

According to surveys conducted by the NCPA, more than 90 percent of responding pharmacists say their cash flow is worse since the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit began on January 1, 2006, and more than 60 percent have sought outside financial assistance from banks, wholesalers, credit unions or family members to cover the financial shortfalls. The pharmacists, who were in Washington, D.C. this week for their annual legislative conference, are calling on Congress to provide relief from inadequate reimbursement rates and delayed claims processing under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

The Fair and Speedy Treatment (FAST) of Claims Act of 2006 seeks to ensure that:

• Pharmacists are paid for their services in a timely manner by requiring Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) to offer electronic direct deposit of reimbursements to participating pharmacies;

• Claims submitted electronically will be paid within 14 days, and all other claims will be paid within 30 days;

• Pharmacists are promptly notified if there are problems with submitted claims;

• Generic dispensing fees are set at a minimum level to ensure pharmacists can afford to provide cost-saving drugs to their communities; and

• Co-branding is prohibited on cards issued by a prescription drug plan.

H. R. 5182 also builds on a provision in the 2003 Medicare bill by establishing guidelines for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs offered by drug plans. Such programs are critical in promoting the proper use of medications and reducing adverse events in high-risk seniors.