title: Medicare Part D: selected issues for plan sponsors, pharmacists, and beneficiaries in 2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Medicare Drug Benefit was designed to provide coverage for outpatient prescriptions to Medicare beneficiaries. Since its inception in January 2006, there have been numerous refinements; however, the overall purpose and structure of the benefit remain the same.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To (1) review changes to the benefit for 2009 and (2) describe the Part D provisions of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed policy statements and other communications from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released between January 1, 2008, and September 30, 2008, and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes to Part D in 2009 include availability of Part D data, changes in the coverage amounts in the standard drug benefit, outreach to vulnerable populations, the United States Pharmacopeia 3-year cycle, revisions to the best-available-evidence policy, new standards for e-prescribing, and new guidance for medication therapy management programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Various refinements and clarifications to the benefit have been made to date; however, opportunities for improvement remain. The availability of Part D data will allow researchers to determine the impact of drugs on overall health outcomes and costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Illinois, 833 S Wood St, MC 886, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. jstubbin@uic.edu
authors.forename: JoAnn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stubbings
authors.forename: Ronnie J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: DePue
mesh_terms: D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics*; D008484:Medicaid; D006278:Medicare; D054524:Medicare Part D / Q000191:economics*; D010602:Pharmacopoeias as Topic; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs