State works to fix Medicare transition problems

The governor has asked that emergency medication be provided.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- The state is asking pharmacists to provide a five-day emergency supply of prescription drugs for Pennsylvanians who are having trouble getting their medicines because of ongoing problems during the transition from the state to the federal program.
The action is the state's most recent response to a growing nationwide problem with the transition to the new federal drug benefit for the elderly.
"I've asked pharmacists to ... provide a five-day emergency supply of prescription drugs to those poor, elderly and disabled people who are eligible for Medicare prescription drug coverage but are still having problems getting their medications," Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday. Pharmacies will be reimbursed for the costs they incur for doing so, Rendell said.
On Jan. 1, the federal government began transferring 250,000 eligible Pennsylvanians from the state's medical assistance program to the new Medicare prescription drug plan.
Last week, state officials estimated that a few thousand state residents who should be eligible for the Medicare drug benefit that took effect Jan. 1 erroneously received pharmacy bills as high as $250. Under the program, the co-payments for low-income participants are supposed to be capped at $5.
The state told pharmacists to send bills for more than $5 to the state, which in turn expects to be reimbursed by the federal government once the database glitch is resolved.
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