FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.,
Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With
open enrollment season underway, Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
(NYSE: MHS) is providing a team of advisors to help Medicare
beneficiaries who enroll in Medco Medicare Prescription Plan®
(PDP)* understand some of the crucial changes in the Medicare Part
D benefit for the 2012 plan year. Some important elements are
changing this year, most notably the enrollment deadline (now
December 7th rather than December 31st), and additional discounts
available in the Coverage Gap.
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The 2012 Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) includes two
robust plan options, Choice and Value, allowing
Medicare beneficiaries to select a plan that best suits their
individual healthcare needs. The 2012 Medco Medicare PDP
earned the highest overall quality and performance rating granted
to a national plan – 4 Stars –from the Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Services' (CMS).**
"Beneficiaries are looking for plans that provide them with the
prescription medications they need, while helping them delay the
Coverage Gap," said Mary Daschner,
Group President, Medco Medicare & Medicaid Solutions. "It's not
just a low premium that helps lower out-of-pocket costs. With the
support of our Medco Medicare Advisors, we help our Medicare
members better understand how to maximize their benefits. Our
members can save an average of $303 a
year and delay entering the Coverage Gap by as many as 50 days.***
This can make a big difference for them."
Using generic medications instead of brand-name drugs is an
important way that Medicare beneficiaries can lower their overall
costs. Frequently used drugs taken by the Medicare population, such
as Lipitor®, Lexapro®, Seroquel®, and Singulair®, which account for
more than $31 billion dollars in
retail sales, are expected to come off patent in 2012 –
representing a potential of more than $9.4
billion in incremental savings opportunities.
"Medco Medicare Advisors help alert beneficiaries when a
brand-name drug becomes available as a generic medication, and can
help them work with their doctors to understand if the generic may
work for them," continues Daschner.
Medco Medicare Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. They can also help beneficiaries better understand their plan
and will alert beneficiaries when they approach the Coverage Gap.
Additionally, Medco pharmacists are available to provide clinical
support and guidance to help avoid beneficiaries potentially
harmful drug interactions and to answer any questions – even in the
middle of the night.
The Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) portfolio consists of
the following:
- Choice plan option, which features a $0 co-payment for a 90-day supply of Preferred
Generic drugs (Tier 1) by mail from the first day of coverage
through the Coverage Gap
- Value plan option, which offers a lower-premium plan
option with the same level of access to thousands of medications
and clinical support
In addition to providing access to more than 3,000 covered
prescription drugs, thousands of pharmacy locations, and desirable
plan features, both options feature Medco's dedicated team of
professionals that provides personalized service to
help Medicare beneficiaries stretch their dollars and ensure the
safety and accessibility of their medications.
The Value plan option is offered in all 50 states; the Choice
plan option is available in 33 states. Both plan options are
available in Puerto Rico.
Enrollment for the 2012 plan year began October 15, 2011 and ends December 7, 2011 with coverage beginning on
January 1, 2012. Those interested in
learning more about the Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP)
options can visit www.medcomedicare.com, or call toll-free
1-866-544-3794. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-716-3231.
*A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor
**A 2012 4-star-rated plan in 49 states and 3.5 stars in NY.
Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and
may change from one year to the next
***Medco Health Solutions, Inc., "Delaying Entry to Coverage
Gap by use of Generics and/or Mail Service" study, August 2011. Based on beneficiaries enrolled in
Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) with a Coverage Gap
stage during the 2010 plan year. Excludes Dual Medicare/Medicaid
eligibles and Low-Income Subsidy enrollees. Patient savings may
vary based on annual benefit changes.
Disclaimers
Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) is a Medicare-approved
Part D sponsor.
The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not
a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information,
contact the plan.
About Medco
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is pioneering
The World's Most Advanced Pharmacy® and its clinical
research and innovations are part of Medco Making Medicine
Smarter® for approximately 65 million members.
With more than 20,000 employees worldwide dedicated to improving
patient health and reducing costs for a wide range of public and
private sector clients, and 2010 revenues of $66 billion, Medco ranks 34th on the 2011
Fortune 500 list and is named among the world's most
innovative, most admired and most trustworthy companies.
For more information, go to http://www.medcohealth.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may
cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the
statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and
actual results may differ materially from those projected. We
undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events,
or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release
should be evaluated together with the risks and uncertainties that
affect our business, particularly those mentioned in the Risk
Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc.