Final answer:
To prescribe a specific brand medication to a Medicaid patient, a doctor must write "Dispense as Written" or an equivalent on the prescription. Medicare's Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 introduces a discount card to help manage costs for the elderly and disabled. Changes in parental expectations for antibiotics also influence prescription practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you want to prescribe a brand medication to a Medicaid patient, the doctor must indicate this by writing "Dispense as Written" (DAW) or a similar instruction on the prescription to ensure the pharmacist dispenses the specific brand requested. Without this indication, a pharmacist may provide a generic equivalent where available.
While prescribing medications under Medicare, it's important to consider the regulations set by the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003, which assists the elderly and disabled. The act includes a prescription drug discount card program that can help save on medication costs.
When a doctor is considering whether to prescribe antibiotics or other medication, it's essential to evaluate the patient's needs carefully. This is particularly pertinent among Medicaid-insured children, as studies show changing parental expectations regarding the necessity of antibiotic prescriptions.