New Medicare Drug Benefit Exceeds Expectations

A new survey released today by AARP, finds nearly eight-in-ten, (78 percent) of those enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan are satisfied:

As of March 2006, over 27 million people are enrolled in a new Medicare drug plan. Of those surveyed who had prescription drug coverage before 2006, 63 percent reported their new Medicare drug plan is either better or as good as their previous coverage. Only 17 percent felt their new coverage is worse than what they had in 2005 and in prior years.

In AARP's press release, AARP Director of Health Strategy Cheryl Matheis said, "Before Medicare added a drug benefit, more than half of those in the program either lacked drug coverage or had inadequate coverage that did not protect them from high out-of-pocket costs. The new plans fill a critical need for affordable prescriptions drugs:"

Because people are now using their new drug plans, AARP is hearing stories of savings everyday. "Only a few short months ago, we were hearing stories from people who had to make difficult choices to afford their prescription drugs. Now the choice has become which of the many drug plans is best for me?" noted Matheis.

Forty percent of those surveyed thought they would need to give up something if Medicare had not added the new prescription drug benefit. Respondents often listed groceries, cutting back on medication, looking for less expensive housing, and cutting back on savings as sacrifices they would most commonly have to make.

I doubt we will be reading much about AARP's survey in the main stream media.

Comments

[gary cruse]

"Cutting back on savings"????

If you're old enough to be on medicare, you
are getting social security and should have some retirement fund somewhere. It's a little late to be fretting over savings.