CMS Approves Community Care Rx Program

Community Care Rx is 1 of 9 nationalprescription drug programs approvedby the Centers for Medicare and MedicaidServices (CMS) for the MedicarePart D prescription drug plan. MemberHealth Inc, sponsor of the program,has joined forces with Computer SciencesCorporation and the NationalCommunity Pharmacists Associationto provide a selection of Medicare PartD products to diverse segments of theMedicare population through CommunityCare Rx.

Endorsed by pharmacy industryleadership, Community Care Rx offerseligible Medicare beneficiaries extensiveprescription drug coverage at theirlocal pharmacies. The formulary forthe plans goes beyond the US Pharmacopeia-recommended guidelines andcovers >146 therapeutic drug classes.Monthly premiums for the 3 plansrange from $26.25 to $45.23 and havedeductibles of either $100 or $250.Medication therapy management servicesalso will be offered through beneficiaries' pharmacists. Medicare beneficiariescan sign up for the MedicarePart D Community Care Rx throughMay 15, 2006.

Mr. Rankin is a freelance medical writer.