Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Improvement Act

Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes, eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3962, To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes, eligibility expansion, Medigap open enrollment, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3200, To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes; proposed legislation re this issue; HR 3590, An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3590, An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Part D reforms - HR 684, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program; HR 1832, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the increase in premium costs for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug program to no more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, and to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries; S 75, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the use of generic drugs under the Medicare part D prescription drug program when available unless the brand name drug is determined to be medically necessary; S 266, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under part D of such title based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices; S 330, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare program; S 534, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals; HR 2860, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare operated prescription drug plan option to deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program. Medicaid drug costs - HR 904, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations; S 547, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations. Part D cost sharing - HR 1407, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Medicaid coverage - HR 1670, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes; S 683, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes. Means-testing Part D premiums - S 677, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require wealthy beneficiaries to pay a greater share of their premiums under the Medicare prescription drug program. Medicare cost plans - HR 2501, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under Medicare; S 1079, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under the Medicare program. Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustments - HR 2686, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with VA medical centers and for certain contiguous areas. Low-income assistance under Medicare Part D - HR 2700, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to assist low-income individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. Implementation of Medicare payment policies - HR 2718, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the Commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy.; S 1380, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy. Medicare Advantage special needs plans - HR 2758, To amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes; S 1307, A bill to amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes. Home and community-based services under Medicaid - HR 2688, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program, and for other purposes. Part D enrollment - HR 3152, To amend titles XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to prescription drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Part D exceptions process, HR 3418, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply the exceptions process for tiered formulary drugs to specialty tier drugs. Part B premiums - HR 3631, To amend title XVIII to provide for the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 2010. Government-operated Part D plan, dual eligibles - S 1634, A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to protect and improve the benefits provided to dual eligible individuals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Guaranteed-isse MediGap, Medicare Advantage enrollment - S 1669, A bill to provide all Medicare beneficiaries with the right to guaranteed issue of a Medicare supplemental policy. Medicaid FMAP - HR 2847, Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes. Medicare physician payments - HR 3326, Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes; S 1776, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the update under the Medicare physician fee schedule for years beginning with 2010 and to sunset the application of the sustainable growth rate formula, and for other purposes. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug rebates, Medigap restrictions, Medicare FFS payment reform - S 1796, An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $100,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, White House Office

H.R. 684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (Berry) Part D reforms; H.R. 904, Medicaid Prescription Drug Rebate Equalization Act (Stupak) Medicaid drug costs; H.R. 1407, Medicare Part D Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act (Doggett) Part D cost sharing; H.R. 1670, Community Choice Act (Davis) Medicaid coverage; H.R. 1832, Medicare Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Wexler) Part D reforms; H.R. 2501, Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act (Pomeroy) Medicare cost plans; H.R. 2686, Medicare Advantage Payments (Israel) Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustments; H.R. 2688, Empowered at Home Act (Pallone) home and community-based services under Medicaid; H.R. 2700, Prescription Coverage Now Act (Doggett) low-income assistance under Medicare Part D; H.R. 2718, MedPAC Reform Act (Cooper) implementation of Medicare payment policies; H.R. 2758, Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act (Kind) Medicare Advantage special needs plans; H.R. 2847, Jobs for Main Street Act (Mollohan) Medicaid FMAP; H.R. 2860, Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act (Murphy) Part D reforms; H.R. 3152, Helping Seniors Choose their Medicare Drug Plan Act (Holt) Part D enrollment; H.R. 3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act (Dingell) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes and eligibility expansion, Medigap open enrollment, Medicare FFS payment reform; H.R. 3326, Defense Appropriations Act (Murtha) Medicare physician payment; H.R. 3418, Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Equalization Act (Ellsworth) Part D exceptions process; H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Reid) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform; H.R. 3631, Medicare Premium Fairness Act (Titus) Part B premiums; H.R. 3962, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act (Dingell) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes, eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform; S. 75, Generics First Act (Kohl) Part D reforms; S. 266, Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act (Nelson) Part D reforms; S. 330, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (Durbin) Part D reforms; S. 534, Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act (Nelson) Part D reforms; S. 547, Drug Rebate Equalization Act (Bingaman) Medicaid drug costs; S. 677, REPAIR Act (Ensign) means-testing Part D premiums; S. 683, Community Choice Act (Harkin) Medicaid coverage; S. 960, Medicare Early Access Act (Rockefeller) Medicare buy-in option; S. 1079, Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act (Klobuchar) Medicare cost plans; S. 1307, Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act (Feingold) Medicare Advantage special needs plans; S. 1380, MedPAC Reform Act (Rockefeller) implementation of Medicare payment policies; S. 1634, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Improvement Act (Rockefeller) government operated Part D plan, dual eligibles; S. 1669, Equal Access to Medicare Options Act (Kerry) guaranteed issue Medigap, Medicare Advantage enrollment; S. 1776, Medicare Physician Fairness Act (Stabenow) Medicare physician payment; S. 1796, Americas Healthy Future Act (Baucus) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug rebates, Medigap restrictions, Medicare FFS payment reform MMM (Regulatory Issues) Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology, data, and audit issues, bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, and audits), application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, SSA and CMS premium withhold processing issues, enrollment rules, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff, measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, compliance/fraud and abuse training, and Medicare/Medicaid integration and contracting issues for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (SNPs); Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, and other operational issues; Medicare creditable drug coverage reporting requirements; implementation issues for the Medicare Retiree Drug Subsidy program; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education program; ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare cost plan program including enrollment, marketing materials review and approval and other operational issues, MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; Medicare clinical trials; Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), grievance and appeals processes, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost/rebate issues affecting Medicaid health plans; health plan-related Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including documentation of citizenship requirements, state benefit flexibility options, and Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; and health information technology standards and policies.

HR 2718/S 1110 - MedPAC Reform Act of 2009 HR 2307/S 1004 - Reaching Elders with Assessment and Chronic Care Management and Coordination Act S 1634 - The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement Act of 2009 Under Line 17: We would like to include the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology S 266 - Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act of 2009 HR 203 - Medicare Fraud Prevention Act of 2009 HR 27 - Medicare Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act of 2009 HR 616/S 511 - Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act HR 574/S 254 - Medicare Home Infusion Therapy Coverage Act of 2009 HR 2560/S 1131 - Independence At Home Act HR 1970/S 956 - Preserve Patient Access to the Reputable DMEPOS Providers Act of 2009 HR 3700/S 1951 - Fair Medicaid Drug Payment Act (From 110th Congress)/Concept to Include Medicaid Average Manufacturers Price Reimbursement Formula in Health Care Reform HR 3108 - Medication Therapy Managament Benefits Act of 2009/Concept to Include Medication Therapy Management Provisions in Health Care Reform HR 3663 - Amends the Social Security Act to delay the October 1, 2009 deadline on which the accreditation requirement under the Medicare Program applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment that are pharmacies. (Public Law 111-72) S 683 - Community Choice Act of 2009 HR 1392/S 1221 - Amends the Social Security Act to ensure more appropriate payment amounts for drugs and biologicals under Part B of the Medicare Program by excluding customary prompt pay discounts extended to wholesalers from the manufacturer's average sales price (Public Law 110-275) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 sections on Medicare DMEPOS (Docket Number CMS-4085-P) Medicare Program; Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs (Docket Number: CMS1561IFC) Medicare Program; Changes to the Competitive Acquisition of Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) by Certain Provisions of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) (Docket Number: CMS-1540-F) Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2007; Certain Provisions Concerning Competitive Acquisition for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS); Accreditation of DMEPOS Suppliers (Docket Number: CMS-6006-F) Medicare Program: Surety Bond Requirement for Suppliers of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) (Docket No. CMS-4085-P) Medicare Program; Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs Docket Number: CMS-10260 (OMB#: 0938-1051) Collection Activities; Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Program: Final Marketing Provisions (74 FR 28937) ONC Draft Recommendations for the Term "Meaningful Use" of Electronic Health Records CMS August 2009 Memo: Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) Training Clarification (regarding changes to 42 C.F.R. 422.503(b)(4)(vi) and 42 C.F.R. 423.504 (b)(4)(vi)) Final 2010 Medicare Part D Call Letter Draft Part D Model Notices for Beneficiaries: Mail-Order and Excluded Provider

Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes, eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3962, To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes, eligibility expansion, Medigap open enrollment, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3200, To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes; proposed legislation re this issue; HR 3590, An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug pricing, Medigap changes, Medicare FFS payment reform - HR 3590, An act entitled The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Part D reforms - HR 684, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program; HR 1832, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the increase in premium costs for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug program to no more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, and to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries; S 75, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the use of generic drugs under the Medicare part D prescription drug program when available unless the brand name drug is determined to be medically necessary; S 266, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under part D of such title based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices; S 330, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare program; S 534, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals; HR 2860, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare operated prescription drug plan option to deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program. Medicaid drug costs - HR 904, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations; S 547, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations. Part D cost sharing - HR 1407, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Medicaid coverage - HR 1670, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes; S 683, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes. Means-testing Part D premiums - S 677, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require wealthy beneficiaries to pay a greater share of their premiums under the Medicare prescription drug program. Medicare cost plans - HR 2501, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under Medicare; S 1079, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under the Medicare program. Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustments - HR 2686, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with VA medical centers and for certain contiguous areas. Low-income assistance under Medicare Part D - HR 2700, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to assist low-income individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. Implementation of Medicare payment policies - HR 2718, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the Commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy.; S 1380, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy. Medicare Advantage special needs plans - HR 2758, To amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes; S 1307, A bill to amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes. Home and community-based services under Medicaid - HR 2688, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program, and for other purposes. Part D enrollment - HR 3152, To amend titles XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to prescription drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Part D exceptions process, HR 3418, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply the exceptions process for tiered formulary drugs to specialty tier drugs. Part B premiums - HR 3631, To amend title XVIII to provide for the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 2010. Government-operated Part D plan, dual eligibles - S 1634, A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to protect and improve the benefits provided to dual eligible individuals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Guaranteed-isse MediGap, Medicare Advantage enrollment - S 1669, A bill to provide all Medicare beneficiaries with the right to guaranteed issue of a Medicare supplemental policy. Medicaid FMAP - HR 2847, Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes. Medicare physician payments - HR 3326, Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes; S 1776, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for the update under the Medicare physician fee schedule for years beginning with 2010 and to sunset the application of the sustainable growth rate formula, and for other purposes. Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicare cost plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug rebates, Medigap restrictions, Medicare FFS payment reform - S 1796, An original bill to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.

Medicare/Part B Premium Hold Harmless. H.R. 3631: Provisions extending the current "hold harmless" policy to all Medicare enrollees to ensure 2010 Part B monthly premiums remain at the current rate. Comprehensive Health Care Reform. H.R. 3590, H.R. 3962, H.R. 3200, S. 1679: provisions related to reducing Medicare Advantage plan payments, reducing the coverage gap in Part D, requiring wealthier Medicare beneficiaries to pay a greater share of the cost of their premiums under Medicare Parts B and D, permitting the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices for the Part D program, simplifying plan benefit designs under Part C, expanding benefits for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), improving the process for reassigning LIS beneficiaries to new plans, expanding coverage of prevention services establishing a Medicare Commission, providing expanded Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services, expanding Medicaid coverage of attendant and other home services and supports, establishing a new national insurance program for long-term supports and services, authorizing funding to provide language services to limited English proficiency beneficiaries, authorizing the collection of data regarding disparities in the provision of care, providing safeguards and subsidies to assure affordability of health coverage for seniors, preserving state benefit laws and requirements, reducing permitted age rating ratio for insurance premiums, inclusion of patient-centered quality reporting requirements for providers, creating new claims reviews processes and provider certification, requiring reporting by practitioners of gifts received from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Medicare/Commission. S. 1110 and S. 1380: authorizing an enhanced MedPAC as an executive branch commission with authority to implement Medicare payment and policy designed to reduce Medicare spending growth. Medicare/Prescription Drug Plan. S. 330/H.R. 684: authorizing the establishment of a Medicare-operated prescription drug plan; S. 266: authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and to use the savings to reduce the coverage gap. Medicare/Part D Generics. S. 75: requiring the use of generics where available unless the brand name drug is determined to be medically necessary. Medicare/Part D cost-sharing. S. 1630: establishing limits on required beneficiary cost-sharing under Part D drug plans. Medicare/Part D dual eligibles. S. 1634: removing enrollment barriers for low-income beneficiaries and establishing a Medicare-operated prescription drug plan. Medicare/Combating Waste, Fraud, Abuse. H.R. 27: relating to additional provisions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare; H.R. 203: increasing civil and criminal penalties for acts involving fraud and abuse and increasing the surety bond amount for suppliers of durable medical equipment. Medicare/Therapy Caps. H.R. 43/S. 46: repealing outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Medicare/Private Contracts. H.R. 164: prohibiting denial of Social Security benefits to persons who elect not to participate in Medicare. Medicare/Hearing Coverage. H.R. 504: authorizing coverage of hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services under Medicare Part B. Medicare/Dental Coverage. H.R. 870: authoring coverage under Part B for medically necessary dental procedures. Medicare/Rural Improvements. H.R. 902/S. 382: provision authorizing improvements to services provided to beneficiaries residing in rural areas. Medicare/Shingles Vaccine. H.R. 1038: extending Part B coverage to the shingles vaccine. Medicare/Home Health. H.R. 1094: authorizing home health care agencies to assign the most appropriate skilled service to make the initial assessment visit under a Medicare home health plan of care for rehabilitation services. Medicare/Health Care Vouchers. H.R. 1118: authorizing Medicare-eligible seniors to elect to receive vouchers for a health savings account, premiums for a high deductible health insurance plan, or both, in lieu of regular Medicare benefits and suspending Medicare late enrollment penalties between ages 65 and 70. Medicare/Skilled Nursing Facilities. H.R. 1125, S. 647: provisions related to requiring the reporting of expenditures for nursing services at skilled nursing facilities and requiring disclosure of corporate ownership. Medicare/Prevention. H.R. 1213: provisions authorizing ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms to at-risk Medicare beneficiaries between the ages of 65 and 75 without the requirement of a prior initial preventive physical examination; H.R. 1894/S. 769: expanding access to bone mass measurement benefits under Part B. Medicare/Part B Drug Payments. H.R. 1392: relating to appropriate Part B payment amounts for drugs and biologicals. Medicare/Low Income Prescription Drug Benefits. H.R. 1407/S. 534: authorizing a reduction in cost-sharing under Part D for non-institutionalized, full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Medicare/Disability Benefits. S. 700/H.R. 1708, H.R. 2881: phasing-out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits and eliminating the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions. Medicare/Prescription Drugs for kidney transplants. H.R. 1458/S. 565: provision related to continued coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished beneficiaries that have received kidney transplants and whose entitlement to coverage would otherwise expire. Medicare/Intravenous Drugs. H.R. 1765/S.701: relating to the payment for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases in a patient's home and for certain disposable pumps as durable medical equipment in place of non-disposable pumps. Medicare/Home Infusion Therapy. H.R. 574/S.254: extending Medicare coverage to home infusion therapy. Medicare/Physical Therapy Services. H.R. 1829: authorizing physical therapists to evaluate and treat Medicare beneficiaries without physician referral. Medicare/Part D Premiums. H.R. 1832: limiting Part D premium increases to no more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment and requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Medicare/Cancer Hospice and Palliative Care. H.R. 1844: provisions authorizing coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning, establishing a Medicare hospice care demonstration, and authorizing grant programs for cancer palliative care and symptom management, provider education, and related research. Medicare/Hospice and Advanced Care Planning. S. 1150, H.R. 2911: provisions related to changing hospice payments and providing advance care planning resources. Medicare/Physician-Manufacturer Transparency. S. 301: increasing the transparency of the relationship between physicians and the manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals, and medical supplies. Medicare/Care Coordination Services. S. 1131, H.R. 2560: provisions establishing pilot care coordination program.

S 1634, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Improvement Act - Issues related the encouragement to use generics and Medicare Part D reforms. Issues related to allowing individuals age 55-64 to buy into Medicare. Issues related to closing the Medicare donut hole.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office

Medicare Advantage program - HR 3200, To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes; proposed legislation re this issue. Part D reforms - HR 684, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program; HR 1832, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to limit the increase in premium costs for beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug program to no more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, and to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries; S 75, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require the use of generic drugs under the Medicare part D prescription drug program when available unless the brand name drug is determined to be medically necessary; S 266, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce the coverage gap in prescription drug coverage under part D of such title based on savings to the Medicare program resulting from the negotiation of prescription drug prices; S 330, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to deliver a meaningful benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare program; S 534, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals; HR 2860, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare operated prescription drug plan option to deliver a meaningful drug benefit and lower prescription drug prices under the Medicare Program. Medicaid drug costs - HR 904, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations; S 547, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for enrollees of Medicaid managed care organizations by extending the discounts offered under fee-for-service Medicaid to such organizations. Part D cost sharing - HR 1407, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reduce cost-sharing under part D of such title for certain non-institutionalized full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Medicaid coverage - HR 1670, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes; S 683, A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for other purposes. Means-testing Part D premiums - S 677, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require wealthy beneficiaries to pay a greater share of their premiums under the Medicare prescription drug program. Medicare cost plans - HR 2501, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under Medicare; S 1079, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend reasonable cost contracts under the Medicare program. Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustments - HR 2686, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for a Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustment for certain local areas with VA medical centers and for certain contiguous areas. Low-income assistance under Medicare Part D - HR 2700, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to assist low-income individuals in obtaining subsidized prescription drug coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program by expediting the application and qualification process and by revising the resource standards used to determine eligibility for such subsidies, and for other purposes. Implementation of Medicare payment policies - HR 2718, To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the Commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy.; S 1380, A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to create a sensible infrastructure for delivery system reform by renaming the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, making the commission an executive branch agency, and providing the Commission new resources and authority to implement Medicare payment policy. Medicare Advantage special needs plans - HR 2758, To amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes; S 1307, A bill to amend part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare special needs plans and the alignment of Medicare and Medicaid for dually eligible individuals, and for other purposes. Home and community-based services under Medicaid - HR 2688, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program, and for other purposes. Part D enrollment - HR 3152, To amend titles XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure that low-income beneficiaries have improved access to prescription drugs under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Part D exceptions process, HR 3418, To amend part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act to apply the exceptions process for tiered formulary drugs to specialty tier drugs. Part B premiums - HR 3631, To amend title XVIII to provide for the application of a consistent Medicare part B premium for all Medicare beneficiaries in a budget neutral manner for 2010. Government-operated Part D plan, dual eligibles - S 1634, A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to protect and improve the benefits provided to dual eligible individuals under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Guaranteed-isse MediGap, Medicare Advantage enrollment - S 1669, A bill to provide all Medicare beneficiaries with the right to guaranteed issue of a Medicare supplemental policy.

Americas Healthy Future Act (Baucus) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicaid issues including eligibility expansion and prescription drug rebates, Medigap restrictions, Medicare FFS payment reform; H.R. 684, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (Berry) Part D reforms (cont.) H.R. 904, Medicaid Prescription Drug Rebate Equalization Act (Stupak) Medicaid drug costs; H.R. 1407, Medicare Part D Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act (Doggett) Part D cost sharing; H.R. 1670, Community Choice Act (Davis) Medicaid coverage; H.R. 1832, Medicare Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Wexler) Part D reforms; H.R. 2501, Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act (Pomeroy) Medicare cost plans; H.R. 2686, Medicare Advantage Payments (Israel) Medicare Advantage benchmark adjustments; H.R. 2688, Empowered at Home Act (Pallone) home and community-based services under Medicaid; H.R. 2700, Prescription Coverage Now Act (Doggett) low-income assistance under Medicare Part D; H.R. 2718, MedPAC Reform Act (Cooper) implementation of Medicare payment policies; H.R. 2758, Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act (Kind) Medicare Advantage special needs plans; H.R. 2860, Medicare Drug Savings Through Choice Act (Murphy) Part D reforms; H.R. 3152, Helping Seniors Choose their Medicare Drug Plan Act (Holt) Part D enrollment; H.R. 3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act (Dingell) Medicare Advantage, Part D, special needs plans, Medicaid issues including MCO provider taxes and eligibility expansion, Medigap open enrollment, Medicare FFS payment reform; H.R. 3418, Medicare Prescription Drug Cost Equalization Act (Ellsworth) Part D exceptions process; H.R. 3631, Medicare Premium Fairness Act (Titus) Part B premiums; S. 75, Generics First Act (Kohl) Part D reforms; S. 266, Medicare Prescription Drug Gap Reduction Act (Nelson) Part D reforms; S. 330, Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act (Durbin) Part D reforms; S. 534, Home and Community Services Copayment Equity Act (Nelson) Part D reforms; S. 547, Drug Rebate Equalization Act (Bingaman) Medicaid drug costs; S. 677, REPAIR Act (Ensign) means-testing Part D premiums; S. 683, Community Choice Act (Harkin) Medicaid coverage; S. 960, Medicare Early Access Act (Rockefeller) Medicare buy-in option; S. 1079, Medicare Cost Contract Extension and Refinement Act (Klobuchar) Medicare cost plans; S. 1307, Medicare Specialty Care Improvement and Protection Act (Feingold) Medicare Advantage special needs plans;S. 1380, MedPAC Reform Act (Rockefeller) implementation of Medicare payment policies; S. 1634, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Improvement Act (Rockefeller) government operated Part D plan, dual eligibles; S. 1669, Equal Access to Medicare Options Act (Kerry) guaranteed issue Medigap, Medicare Advantage enrollment MMM (Regulatory Issues) Ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D prescription drug programs, including risk adjustment methodology and data issues, (including audit and encounter data issues), bidding and payment issues (including MA rate assumptions, MA coding intensity, MA Secondary Payer issues, Part D reinsurance, Part D low income subsidies, and audits), application process, audits to evaluate compliance with MA and Part D program rules, benefit design rules, SSA and CMS premium withhold processing issues, enrollment rules, marketing materials review and approval, marketing activities, including conduct and compensation of brokers and agents and plan sponsor marketing staff, measurement and oversight of plan performance including Special Needs Plans (SNPs); quality measures, grievance and appeals processes, compliance/fraud and abuse training, and Medicare/Medicaid integration and contracting issues for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (SNPs); Federal preemption of State authority under MA and Part D programs, Part D prescription drug event data reporting, Part D formulary rules, Part D pharmacy access standards, and other operational issues; Medicare creditable drug coverage reporting requirements; implementation issues for the Medicare Retiree Drug Subsidy program; functionality of the Medicare Personal Plan Finder and Drug Plan Finder; National Medicare Education program; ongoing implementation issues for the Medicare cost plan program including enrollment, marketing materials review and approval and other operational issues, MA and Part D systems issues affecting enrollment and disenrollment processing and payment and other operational issues; Medicare demonstration program on performance-based payments for physician groups; physician quality reporting initiative; issues relating to Medicare coverage policy and national coverage decisions; Medicare clinical trials; Medicaid managed care regulations and policies, including the Medicaid managed care actuarial soundness standard, quality oversight, grievance and appeals processes, beneficiary information requirements, treatment of Medicaid health plan member hospital days in the upper payment limit calculation; policies affecting State Medicaid funding, including intergovernmental transfers (IGTs); coordination of benefits with state Medicaid programs; Medicaid prescription drug cost/rebate issues affecting Medicaid health plans; health plan-related State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) issues, including eligibility and outreach issues; implementation of Medicaid changes made in Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including documentation of citizenship requirements, state benefit flexibility options, and Medicaid managed care organization provider tax issues; standards for electronic prescribing; and health information technology standards and policies.

Medicare/Part B Premium Hold Harmless. H.R. 3631: Provisions extending the current "hold harmless" policy to all Medicare enrollees to ensure 2010 Part B monthly premiums remain at the current rate. Comprehensive Health Care Reform. H.R. 3200, S. 1679, Senate Finance Committee Mark of Americas Healthy Futures Act: provisions related to reducing Medicare Advantage plan payments, reducing the coverage gap in Part D, requiring wealthier Medicare beneficiaries to pay a greater share of the cost of their premiums under Medicare Part D, reducing the Part A deductible, establishing an out-of-pocket maximum under Medicare, establishing a voluntary comprehensive benefit option under Medicare, authorizing a Medicare-operated Part D drug plan, permitting the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate drug prices for the Part D program, simplifying plan benefit designs under Parts D and C, expanding benefits for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), improving the process for reassigning LIS beneficiaries to new plans, expanding coverage of prevention services, integrating mental health services in primary care and community settings, eliminating the 45 percent funding trigger provision, establishing a Medicare Commission, providing Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services, establishing a new national insurance program for long-term supports and services, authorizing funding to provide language services to limited English proficiency beneficiaries, authorizing the collection of data regarding disparities in the provision of care, providing safeguards and subsidies to assure affordability of health coverage for seniors, preserving state benefit laws and requirements, reducing permitted age rating ratio and clarifying the Medicare Secondary Payer statute. Medicare/Commission. S. 1110 and S. 1380: authorizing an enhanced MedPAC as an executive branch commission with authority to implement Medicare payment and policy designed to reduce Medicare spending growth. Medicare/Prescription Drug Plan. S. 330/H.R. 684: authorizing the establishment of a Medicare-operated prescription drug plan; S. 266: authorizing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and to use the savings to reduce the coverage gap. Medicare/Part D Generics. S. 75: requiring the use of generics where available unless the brand name drug is determined to be medically necessary. Medicare/Part D cost-sharing. S. 1630: establishing limits on required beneficiary cost-sharing under Part D drug plans. Medicare/Part D dual eligibles. S. 1634: removing enrollment barriers for low-income beneficiaries and establishing a Medicare-operated prescription drug plan. Medicare/Combating Waste, Fraud, Abuse. H.R. 27: relating to additional provisions to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within Medicare; H.R. 203: increasing civil and criminal penalties for acts involving fraud and abuse and increasing the surety bond amount for suppliers of durable medical equipment. Medicare/Therapy Caps. H.R. 43/S. 46: repealing outpatient rehabilitation therapy caps. Medicare/Private Contracts. H.R. 164: prohibiting denial of Social Security benefits to persons who elect not to participate in Medicare. Medicare/Hearing Coverage. H.R. 504: authorizing coverage of hearing aids and auditory rehabilitation services under Medicare Part B. Medicare/Dental Coverage. H.R. 870: authoring coverage under Part B for medically necessary dental procedures. Medicare/Rural Improvements. H.R. 902/S. 382: provision authorizing improvements to services provided to beneficiaries residing in rural areas. Medicare/Shingles Vaccine. H.R. 1038: extending Part B coverage to the shingles vaccine. Medicare/Home Health. H.R. 1094: authorizing home health care agencies to assign the most appropriate skilled service to make the initial assessment visit under a Medicare home health plan of care for rehabilitation services. Medicare/Health Care Vouchers. H.R. 1118: authorizing Medicare-eligible seniors to elect to receive vouchers for a health savings account, premiums for a high deductible health insurance plan, or both, in lieu of regular Medicare benefits and suspending Medicare late enrollment penalties between ages 65 and 70. Medicare/Skilled Nursing Facilities. H.R. 1125, S. 647: provisions related to requiring the reporting of expenditures for nursing services at skilled nursing facilities and requiring disclosure of corporate ownership. Medicare/Prevention. H.R. 1213: provisions authorizing ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms to at-risk Medicare beneficiaries between the ages of 65 and 75 without the requirement of a prior initial preventive physical examination; H.R. 1894/S. 769: expanding access to bone mass measurement benefits under Part B. Medicare/Part B Drug Payments. H.R. 1392: relating to appropriate Part B payment amounts for drugs and biologicals. Medicare/Low Income Prescription Drug Benefits. H.R. 1407/S. 534: authorizing a reduction in cost-sharing under Part D for non-institutionalized, full-benefit dual eligible individuals. Medicare/Disability Benefits. S. 700/H.R. 1708, H.R. 2881: phasing-out the 24-month waiting period for disabled individuals to become eligible for Medicare benefits and eliminating the waiting period for individuals with life-threatening conditions. Medicare/Prescription Drugs for kidney transplants. H.R. 1458/S. 565: provision related to continued coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished beneficiaries that have received kidney transplants and whose entitlement to coverage would otherwise expire. Medicare/Intravenous Drugs. H.R. 1765/S.701: relating to the payment for intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for the treatment of primary immune deficiency diseases in a patient's home and for certain disposable pumps as durable medical equipment in place of non-disposable pumps. Medicare/Home Infusion Therapy. H.R. 574/S.254: extending Medicare coverage to home infusion therapy. Medicare/Physical Therapy Services. H.R. 1829: authorizing physical therapists to evaluate and treat Medicare beneficiaries without physician referral. Medicare/Part D Premiums. H.R. 1832: limiting Part D premium increases to no more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment and requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. Medicare/Cancer Hospice and Palliative Care. H.R. 1844: provisions authorizing coverage of comprehensive cancer care planning, establishing a Medicare hospice care demonstration, and authorizing grant programs for cancer palliative care and symptom management, provider education, and related research. Medicare/Hospice and Advanced Care Planning. S. 1150, H.R. 2911: provisions related to changing hospice payments and providing advance care planning resources. Medicare/Physician-Manufacturer Transparency. S. 301: increasing the transparency of the relationship between physicians and the manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals, and medical supplies. Medicare/Care Coordination Services. S. 1131, H.R. 2560: provisions establishing pilot care coordination program. Medicaid/Home and Community-based Long Term Care. S. 434, S.1257, H.R. 28552: provisions to remove barriers to providing home and community-based services including providing a state option to provide home and community-based services to individuals for whom such services are likely to prevent, delay, or decrease the likelihood of an individual's need for institutionalized care and authorizing the implementation of assistance grants for states electing to provide home and community-based services under Medicaid; provisions to provide a single point of entry to long term services; provisions to support nursing home diversion programs. Medicaid/Community-based Attendant Services and Supports. S. 683, H.R. 1670: authorizing coverage of community-based attendant services and supports under Medicaid, increasing funding and establishing a demonstration program for beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.