Report: Premium hikes for top Medicare drug plans

Source: AP-Excite

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON (AP) - Seniors enrolled in seven of the 10 most popular Medicare prescription drug plans will be hit with double-digit premium hikes next year if they don't shop for a better deal, says a private firm that analyzes the highly competitive market.

The report Monday by Avalere Health is a reality check on the Obama's administration's upbeat pronouncements. Back in August, officials had announced that the average premium for basic prescription drug coverage will stay the same in 2013, at $30 a month.

The administration's number is accurate as an overall indicator for the entire market, but not very helpful to consumers individually since it doesn't reflect price swings in the real world.

"The average senior is going to benefit by carefully scrutinizing their situation, because every year the market changes," Avalere President Dan Mendelson said. Avalere crunched the numbers based on bid documents that the plans submitted to Medicare.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20120925/DA1GLK6G0.html

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In this Feb. 20, 2008, file photo, a shopper walks toward the pharmacy at a Little Rock, Ark., Wal-Mart store. A study says seniors in seven of the 10 most popular Medicare prescription drug plans will be hit with double-digit premium hikes next year if they don’t shop for a better deal. The report by Avalere Health is a reality check against the Obama’s administration’s upbeat pronouncements. Back in August 2012, officials had announced that the average premium for basic prescription drug coverage would stay the same in 2013, at $30 a month. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)