Patient Relations

CMS has announced it is eliminating an existing prohibition for MA plans to use a cost containment strategy known as “step therapy” for drugs administered in the physician’s office or facility. Step therapy requires physicians to prescribe an insurer’s preferred treatment first, and only covers more expensive treatments if the patient does not respond to the initial treatment.

As of this week, all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) secure portals Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) look-up tools are available for use. This tool is used to look up MBIs for Medicare patients when they have lost or do not have their Medicare card. To access the tool, you will need to sign up for your MAC’s portal.