Impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit on Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2005-04

Type of Work

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.

Abstract

Home- and community-based services waiver programs enable many individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid to avoid nursing homes. However, there was concern at the time that access to prescription drugs may be impeded with the transfer of drug coverage from Medicaid to Medicare in January 2006, threatening the ability of dual eligibles to remain in the community. This issue brief examines the likely impact of the new Medicare drug benefit in Maryland and recommended federal policy remedies.