Medicare Part D drug benefit and HIV/AIDS: questions and answers

This newly enacted legislation has the potential to expand access to needed medications for persons with HIV/AIDS and actually improve care by making medication more affordable. This is particularly true for patients who are currently enrolled in ADAPs with limited or restricted formularies. The benefit of the Part D program in states with more generous ADAP formularies, such as New York and California, is not as clear. Choosing a drug plan can also be complex. Providers and case managers should have knowledge of the plans that are offered in their areas. While a program such as this has the potential to improve access to drugs, providers should expect the unexpected, especially with a newly implemented program that is wide in scope and subject to change over time. In the end, we need to work to avoid interruptions in treatment for our patients.