Impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit on Home- and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs
04/01/2005
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 transer 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.