Final answer:
Walgreens Team Members are responsible for initiating Medicare Part B claims for prescription products at the request of a Medicare beneficiary. This is part of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003, which helps to reduce costs for the elderly and disabled. The substantial cost to the government and the lobbying efforts by organizations like AARP played significant roles in the implementation of this benefit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walgreens Team Members must initiate the process for submitting a claim to Medicare Part B for a prescription product if requested by a Medicare beneficiary. This reflects an important aspect of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003, developed in response to the needs of the elderly and disabled who commonly require multiple prescription drugs.
The introduction of Medicare prescription benefits, though criticized for its high costs and potential inflationary impact, significantly aids Social Security recipients, saving them roughly 15% to 25% annually on their medications.
The expansion of Medicare in 2003 to include prescription drug benefits was a substantial change, supported by lobbying efforts of organizations like the American Association for Retired People (AARP).
The cost of the prescription drug benefit to the federal government was considerable, starting at about $40 billion in 2006 with projections for substantial increases in the following decade. Understanding the processes for claims and the political history behind Medicare prescription coverage is important for pharmacy professionals working with these benefits.