The transition to Medicare Part D and the new senior care landscape

The landscape of coverage for prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries has dramatically changed as a result of Medicare Part D. As regulations were drafted to govern this program, the federal government's fear was that because pharmacy benefit managers had never gone at risk for the management of medications, plans would be reluctant to enter the new arena of Medicare drug coverage. Of course, that has not happened as hundreds of various plans have entered this market, including a new form of managed care plan referred to as a "special needs plan". The landscape of health care has changed and will continue to change as Medicare Part D changes, both as the result of competitive market forces and regulatory actions.