Potential Impact of Medicare Part D in the End-Stage Renal Disease Population

The document discussed the impact of Medicare Part D on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients since its implementation in 2006. While 84% of ESRD patients were eligible for Part D benefits, many faced issues such as interruptions in prescription drug coverage, formulary restrictions, and difficulties with appeals. Key ESRD medications were often not covered, and trade-name drugs required higher copayments. Enhanced plans with broader coverage demanded higher premiums, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses for ESRD patients compared to the general Medicare population. These patients were more likely to encounter the coverage gap and reach catastrophic coverage, highlighting their vulnerability to the complexities of Medicare Part D. Further data were needed to fully understand these challenges.