Overview of Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit: Potential implications for patients with psychotic disorders

Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits are reviewed. Potential implications for patients with psychotic disorders in relation to Medicare Part D are discussed. The newly created Medicare Part D provides prescription drug benefits to many individuals formerly without prescription benefits and, possibly, lower-cost benefits to those who previously relied on other benefits. Participating prescription plans use a variety of pharmacy management tools to minimize costs while providing benefit plans that meet Part D requirements for composition and coverage. Patients then have the challenge of choosing a prescription drug plan that will best satisfy their prescriptions needs. The rollout of Part D has not been without problems, and although more Medicare participants are receiving prescription drug benefits at a greater savings, there are concerns that Part D may not provide adequate coverage for all patients or for patients requiring certain types of medications, especially some psychotropic medications. Pharmacists have voiced concerns about the Medicare Part D drug plan in regard to both the degree of coverage it provides to enrollees and the difficulty in administering the benefit.