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HHS Announces More Than 90 Percent Of Medicare Beneficiaries Will Have Access To A Lower Premium Drug Plan in 2008 |
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From HHS News and Events: HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced today that more than 90 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) will have access to at least one plan in 2008 with premiums lower than they are paying this year. The actual average premium paid by beneficiaries for standard Part D coverage in 2008 is expected to be nearly 40 percent lower than originally projected when the benefit was established in 2003. Beneficiaries who qualify for extra help through Medicare's Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) will also have a range of options available for comprehensive coverage. "We want to give every Medicare beneficiary who is eligible for extra help the opportunity to enroll in the Part D benefit," said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Kerry Weems. "That's why in 2008, CMS will maintain for low-income subsidy eligible beneficiaries the same exemption from the late enrollment penalty as in 2007. In 2008, 17 organizations will offer stand-alone prescription drug plans nationwide (in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.). Beneficiaries will have a wide range of plans to choose from that have zero deductibles, some of which also offer other enhanced benefits, such as reduced deductibles and lower cost sharing. The premiums for Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MA-PDs) continue to be lower than premiums for PDPs. Further, over 90 percent of people with Medicare will have access to a MA-PD for a $0 premium and with a $0 drug deductible. Local organizations such as the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and thousands of other Medicare partner organizations that will provide personalized assistance throughout the fall.
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