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- MEDICARE PART D UPDATE
- HELP AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES! SUPPORT SELF-ADVOCACY!
- CHILDREN’S SERVICES FORUM – SOLD OUT!
MEDICARE PART D UPDATE
According to Medicare Watch, a publication of the Medicare Rights Center, an independent advocacy group has determined that Medicare Part D drug plans often cannot provide accurate information on what prescriptions are covered. The independent advocacy group placed calls to eight plans in California. Representatives with each plan were asked four questions about procedures to obtain coverage for drugs not on the plan’s formulary, or a list of covered drugs, and about other member rights.
The report found that only 36 percent of plan representatives could accurately and completely answer questions about the process. Sixty-three percent provided a time frame for an expedited decision that was longer than the mandated 24 hours. Fourteen percent of representatives did not even know that a plan member can ask to have a nonformulary drug covered. Submitting requests by fax is an important way for individuals or their doctors to file an exception and supporting documentation quickly and securely, but only 9 percent of surveyed representatives could provide the plan’s fax number designated for the process.
The survey analysis calls the low accuracy of information representatives gave about a member’s basic right to an exception “alarming and unacceptable.” The report recommends that Part D plans examine and retrain all customer service representatives regarding procedures and member rights, and calls for more oversight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the quality of information Part D plans provide.
HELP AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES!
SUPPORT SELF-ADVOCACY!
On August 31, Max Chmura of Loudonville, New York, will begin a solo 360 mile bicycle ride to support self-advocacy for people with disabilities. This ride will take him through the Alaska Range from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska, past the imposing Denali (Mt. McKinley). Money raised by this ride will be distributed among the following self-advocacy organizations:
Self-Advocacy Association of New York (www.sanys.org)
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE - www.sabeusa.org)
People First of Alaska (www.alaskachd.org/peoplefirst)
People First of Illinois (www.peoplefirstofillinois)
Kentucky Self-Advocates for Freedom (KYSAFF - www.kyselfadvocates.org)
To support Max, a friend of NYSACRA, and his dedication to self-advocacy, follow the directions listed on his form at www.nysacra.org/nysacra/news/bicycletour.htm.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES FORUM – SOLD OUT!
The NYSACRA hosted forum scheduled for September 15 to discuss services to children with developmental disabilities has reached capacity registration! No more registrations can be accepted. Depending on the planning in the forum on the 15th there may be an additional session scheduled in the future or other means of gathering information about the issues will be developed (survey, teleconference, regional meetings, etc). Thank you for your interest in children with mr/dd. For agencies registered please let us know if you or others in your party cannot attend. We can free up a space if you cancel. Thank you for this courtesy.
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