A
new
report![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080920033303im_/http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/Images/img_icon_pdf_home.gif)
released by Rep. Waxman is the first detailed analysis
of the use of restrictive tactics by Medicare drug plans.
Based on a Medicare database,
a phone survey of Medicare drug plans conducted in Rep.
Waxman's congressional district, and the Medicare.gov
website available to seniors, the report finds that
the use of prior authorization requirements, step-therapy
provisions, and volume limits by the Medicare drug plans
is widespread, but disclosure of their terms is virtually
nonexistent.
Specifically, the report finds:
- Prior authorization requirements, step-therapy
provisions, and volume limits by the vast majority
of Medicare drug plans restrict access to formulary
drugs. The Medicare data show that 97% of plans place
either prior authorization or step therapy requirements
on at least one of the 100 most popular drugs, with
the average plan restricting access to over 10% of
the popular drugs listed in its formulary.
- Medicare drug plans are unable to describe plan
restrictions accurately. Over two-thirds of the Medicare
drug plans contacted in the phone survey were unable
to describe accurately how the prior approval, step
therapy, or volume limits worked with their particular
plan.
- Medicare drug plans provide erroneous or conflicting
information about restrictions. A number of Medicare
drug plans provided information that was erroneous
or misleading or conflicted with other information
provided by the plan in the phone survey.
- The Medicare website and the websites of plan sponsors
fail to provide adequate information about restrictions.
Seniors cannot rely on the Medicare.gov website or
the websites of plan sponsors to inform themselves
about the details of plan restrictions.