Low-income beneficiaries in Medicare's prescription drug program have fewer plans to choose from next year in every state except Wisconsin, raising concerns among advocates that millions will be forced to change plans — and may find skimpier coverage
An analysis out this week by Avalere Health, a for-profit research firm in Washington, found 308 stand-alone drug plans nationwide next year eligible to serve low-income residents, down about 200 from this year. Those beneficiaries are subsidized by the government. They pay little or no monthly premiums and generally have lower out-of-pocket costs, called deductibles, for drugs than do higher-income policyholders.
via usatoday.com
Advocates note that this is part of a continual disruption in access to benefits to low income recipients of Medicare. Nevada residents will have one plan to choose from; Arizona will have two. Choices will shrink from around 500 plans to 308 overall for residents of other states.
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