Lists of Medicare drug providers are released

The federal government on Friday unveiled lists of providers for its prescription drug coverage program — a major step in an ambitious plan to make prescription drugs available to all Medicare beneficiaries.

In Utah, 18 organizations will offer stand-alone prescription drug plans, including two with monthly premiums less than $20. Five other organizations will offer the more comprehensive Medicare Advantage plan, and two of those will have at least one plan with no additional drug premiums.

Details of the plans will not be available until Oct. 1, when the organizations are allowed to start marketing to Medicare beneficiaries.

"This is historic development in bringing Medicare's coverage up to date," said Mark B. McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The prescription drug plan, commonly called Medicare Part D, is part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. The legislation added what McClellan on Friday called "the most important new Medicare benefit in 40 years" — prescription drug coverage for some 43 million elderly and disabled Americans.

"Everyone in Medicare will be able to choose a drug plan that addresses their needs and costs," he said. "Seniors will be able to get coverage that helps protect their health as well as their savings."

The benefit plan is available to all recipients of Medicare, a federal insurance plan for disabled Americans as well as those 65 and older. Some recipients of Medicaid, a joint federal and state program for low-income individuals, will also qualify for the program.

Benefits are scheduled to begin Jan. 1, although at least one federal lawmaker has called for a halt to the estimated $700 billion program. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said he regretted voting for the program and suggested the money would best be used to aid rebuilding efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Michael Fierberg, with CMS public affairs, said the comments have had no impact on plans to roll out the program.

"We're moving ahead, that's all I can tell you at this point," he said. "We're expecting to move forward with this plan and bring it forward on schedule. If Congress, in its infinite wisdom, decides to change that, we'll change that."