Big Monthly Premium Hikes Likely Next Year For Medicare Rx Plans
CQ HealthBeat: Study: Expect Big Monthly Premium Hike Next Year In Most Popular Medicare Rx Plans
Although monthly premiums will go down next year for Medicare prescription drug coverage on average, seniors in the most popular plans will see sizable jumps — notably a 14 percent hike for the 4.7 million in United Healthcare's plans, a new study says. Its message: You better shop around. "Commercial plans are aggressively positioning to obtain the advantage in Medicare markets, and it will show in 2012 enrollment," said Dan Mendelson, CEO of Avalere Health, which conducted the study. "The reduction in average premiums — resulting from the entrance of new generic drugs, pharmacy cost containment measures, and market competition, will benefit both savvy consumers and the Medicare program" (Reichard, 9/19).