Secretary Leavitt Issues Progress Report on Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

       Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt recently issued a 1-month progress report on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit that takes a hard look at what is working and what needs to improve. The report details action steps HHS and health plans are taking, such as extending transition coverage for a beneficiary’s current drugs to 90 days and reducing call wait times. The report also includes new estimates showing that the costs of the Medicare drug benefit are significantly less than expected.
       “While the new prescription drug benefit has worked for the vast majority of participants, the first trip to the pharmacy has been frustrating for some, particularly for certain people with Medicare and Medicaid. We make no excuses. These are our problems to solve, and this report shows that we are making progress,” says Leavitt.
        “We are working around the clock to help everyone use their coverage,” says Mark McClellan, MD, PhD, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. “As we improve our data exchanges with plans, provide new support for pharmacists, work with states, and help beneficiaries who call 1-800-MEDICARE resolve any problems, many more beneficiaries are using their new coverage every day.”
       Leavitt announced that Medicare will notify plans that the 30-day transitional coverage period will continue for 60 more days—in effect, this means that plans will provide up to 90 days of coverage for a beneficiary’s current drugs. This provides more time for beneficiaries to find out if they can save by using other drugs that work in a very similar way and cost significantly less. This action reinforces steps already taken by many plans, like extending their transitional coverage, to help ensure a smooth transition for beneficiaries.
       Leavitt noted that call wait times for pharmacists and customers had been “unacceptable,” and announced efforts to get them significantly reduced. He also noted that the latest estimates show that the costs of the Medicare prescription drug benefit are significantly less than expected. The savings result from lower expected costs per beneficiary; projected enrollment in the drug benefit has not changed significantly. At the report’s conclusion, Leavitt outlined action steps that Medicare is taking, including:
• Making sure drug plans have up-to-date information on all their dual-eligible beneficiaries
• Improving the “data translation” between Medicare, health plans, and states
• Monitoring and reporting call wait times for drug plans
• Assuring plans meet contractual payment terms for pharmacies.
       Visit http://www.hhs.gov/secretaryspage.html for a copy of the full report.
       Source: Department of Health & Human Services

Achieve Healthcare and Prestige Care Reach Deal on Web-Based Software Use

       Achieve Healthcare Technologies^TM, a leading provider of software systems for the long-term care industry, announces that Prestige Care, Inc., will use the Achieve Matrix clinical and financial software in its 19 skilled nursing facilities and 26 assisted living facilities, which span across 7 states.
       Achieve Matrix is a Web-based, fully integrated clinical and financial software system that helps long-term care facilities streamline processes and focus on providing resident care. Recently, Achieve added an accounts payable general ledger component to Matrix’s financial module, which is private-labeled as Achieve Matrix AP/GL powered by Intacct.
       In 2005, Prestige management decided to implement Achieve Matrix and discontinue the use of the DOS application that the organization implemented in 1985. Matrix was designed to support a corporate environment with multiple facilities but is also optimal for single facilities. It automates the clinical workflow process and provides highly evolved traditional functionality, such as:
• 1-button Minimum Data Set (MDS) transmission
• Electronic billing for Medicaid, Medicare, and third parties
• Automated flow sheets
• Care plan templates
• Point of care, mobile-charting technology.
       Visit http://www.achievehealthcare.com and http://www.prestigecare.com for more information.

Momentum Healthware Locates US Headquarters in Nashville, Tenn

       Momentum Healthware, Inc., an industry-leading developer of healthcare solutions in the United States and Canada, announces the opening of its new US headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.
       Momentum Healthware is the only software company located in Tennessee that focuses exclusively on the growing US long-term care market.
       “Nashville is known as a global ‘healthcare center’ with its numerous hospitals, healthcare chains, and industry infrastructure. We intend to extend that strength in Tennessee by choosing Nashville for our US-based headquarters,” says Dr. Dwayne Gunter, Momentum’s executive vice president and head of US operations.
       Momentum Healthware has been serving American healthcare clients since 1998, with clients such as Beverly Healthcare, Extendicare, and Kindred Healthcare.
       As part of its commitment to US healthcare solutions, Momentum has engaged Harpeth Capital, LLC, also a Nashville-based company, to raise additional equity capital.
       Visit http://www.momentumhealthware.com for more information.