title: The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: understanding the benefits and the gaps in this new coverage.
abstract: This article reviews the reasons for the implementation of Medicare Part D and outlines basic provisions of this new drug benefit. Also addressed are concerns voiced by some beneficiaries about the coverage and suggestions on how to avoid confusion when choosing and enrolling in a plan.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Seattle, WA, USA. fay.baier@cms.hhs.gov
authors.forename: Fay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baier
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D002755:Choice Behavior; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics*; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics*; D006278:Medicare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014481:United States