CMS Endorses Envision Pharmaceutical Services Discount Drug Card.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers AURORA Aurora, cities, United States Aurora (ərôr`ə, ô–). 1 City (1990 pop. 222,103), Adams and Arapahoe counties, N central Colo., a growing suburb on the east side of Denver; inc. 1903. , Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2004 CMS (1) See content management system and color management system. (2) (Conversational Monitor System) Software that provides interactive communications for IBM's VM operating system. Endorsement Allows Envision Pharmaceutical Services to Pass Along Real Savings on Prescription Drugs prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, to Medicare Beneficiaries through its Medicare Approved Discount Drug Card, EnvisionRx Plus(TM) Envision Pharmaceutical Services (Envision), a leading pharmacy benefit management A Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) is a third party administrator of prescription drug programs. They are primarily responsible for processing and paying prescription drug claims. (PBM PBM - play by mail. See play by electronic mail. ) company, announced today that the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has endorsed the company's drug discount card. Envision calls its Medicare Approved Drug In the United States, the FDA approves drugs. Before a drug can be prescribed, it must undergo an extensive FDA approval process. This process involves first testing the drug on animals or in medical labs. Discount Card, EnvisionRx Plus(TM). The program was introduced by CMS to provide savings on prescription drugs to Medicare individuals who do not have prescription drug insurance coverage. EnvisionRx Plus gives immediate price reductions at the point of sale to individuals covered under Medicare to help reduce their current costs for prescription drugs before the new Part D Medicare drug benefit begins in early 2006. "The continually rising cost of prescription drugs has become an increasing problem for Medicare members who do not have prescription drug coverage," said Kevin Nagle, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Envision. "This program will give relief to the millions of beneficiaries who have found it increasingly more difficult to afford their prescription medication." Envision Pharmaceutical Services has been working with various organizations including several health care partners, insurance companies and major retail chain pharmacies in order to increase accessibility of the program to beneficiaries. In addition to a large network of retail pharmacies, EnvisionRx Plus(TM) will also offer a convenient mail order service for supplies of up to 90 days. Marketing for the new CMS program launches in May 2004 and promises significant savings for Medicare beneficiaries who will then have the opportunity to enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription Drug Discount Card program. In June 2004, beneficiaries will be able to use their Drug Discount Cards to access discounts off the regular cash price of prescription drugs and receive immediate savings. Additionally, Medicare will provide a program of Temporary Assistance, a $600 credit in 2004 and up to an additional $600 credit in 2005 to Medicare beneficiaries who meet certain income requirements. Medicare will pay the $30 annual enrollment fee for those Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for Transitional Assistance. Beginning in May 2004, Medicare beneficiaries can ask questions concerning the new program by calling approved sponsors, asking their local pharmacist pharmacist /phar·ma·cist/ (fahr´mah-sist) one who is licensed to prepare and sell or dispense drugs and compounds, and to make up prescriptions. phar·ma·cist n. or calling MEDICARE for more information. In order to make more informed decisions, CMS will have a website available for comparing programs and drug prices by sponsor and region and continuously updated. About CMS CMS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is dedicated to serving Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care. beneficiaries. CMS is organized around three centers to clearly reflect the agency's major lines of business: traditional fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare+Choice and state-administered programs, such as Medicaid and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). About Envision Pharmaceutical Services Envision Pharmaceutical Services, with offices in Ohio, Florida and California, provides full service pharmacy benefits management to self-funded employer groups employer group Association of employers Managed care An entity with a current group benefits agreement in effect with a health plan to provide covered health care services to its employee-subscribers and eligible dependents. , health plans, unions and municipalities. Its full disclosure, full transparency, pass-though-pricing model is unique in the PBM industry. |
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