Government
Popular Medicare drug plans up their premiums
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 23, 2008
The average monthly premiums for the 10 most popular Medicare Part D plans increased by 16% in 2008, but some individual plans increased their premiums by more than that, according to a new study from Avelere Health. The AARP MedicareRx Saver plan offered by UnitedHealth Group, for instance, raised its average premiums 84%, from $14.43 in 2007 to $26.56 in 2008.
Meanwhile, plans that lowered their premiums saw increases in enrollment. CVS Caremark's SilverScript plan, for instance, saw a 38% boost in signups after it lowered its premiums and increased the number of drugs on its formulary.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/23/gvbf0623.htm.












