Psoriasis Cure Now Makes Final Push For Full Coverage Of Psoriasis Treatments In Medicare Prescription Plans, USA

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Article Date: 24 Jul 2005 - 13:00 PDT

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"Psoriasis Cure Now," a patient advocacy group based in our nation's capital, today launched a final push to ensure that the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit that takes effect January 1 will include coverage for the full range of effective psoriasis treatments. In September, lists of covered drugs will be released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The psoriasis group is urging interested Americans to write directly to CMS using the group's special Medicare Alert, available on the web:
http://capwiz.com/psorcurenow/home

"Older Americans need access to the full range of effective treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," said Michael Paranzino, president of Psoriasis Cure Now. "We think some last-minute, friendly pressure on CMS can help ensure that psoriasis patients are not short-changed by this promising new drug benefit."

Psoriasis is an incurable, recurring disease of the immune system that can first strike at any age, causing dry, painful skin lesions that can crack, bleed and itch. Many people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, a chronic, progressive and debilitating inflammatory disease that often causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling, as well as bone damage. Private entities will offer Medicare prescription plans based on guidelines established by CMS. If the guidelines are not crafted properly, plans might only cover the less safe and/or less effective psoriasis treatments. This could eventually also impact younger Americans, as many experts believe the Medicare guidelines will come to influence non-Medicare prescription plans.

"The Medicare Prescription Benefit must not force older Americans into less safe or less effective treatments." Paranzino added. "If the new Medicare Prescription Benefit is to prove successful, it must fully cover Seniors with incurable, serious diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."

More information is available on the Psoriasis Cure Now website:
http://www.psorcurenow.org

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