Authorized by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003 and implemented in January 2006, the Part D program covers beneficiaries through (1) a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) for drug coverage only, or (2) a Medicare Advantage plan (MA) that covers medical services and prescription drugs (MA-PD).  Medicare beneficiaries have to affirmatively choose and enroll in a plan, unless they are dual eligible, having both Medicare and Medicaid.  Dual eligibles are automatically enrolled into a random Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) in their area.

 

Because access to prescription drug benefits has been considered one incentive to Medicaid participation, some states have started to look at the impact of Medicare Part D on the Medicaid Buy-in program.  Early research on Medicare Part D is presented here.