Government
Medicare Advantage, Part D premiums announced
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 12, 2009
Medicare private plan beneficiaries can expect to see an average premium of about $39 a month in 2010, a $7 increase from 2009. Medicare prescription drug plan premiums will average $30 next year, a $2 increase. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initially had projected that the average Part D premium in 2010 would be $32.
Nearly all beneficiaries next year will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan, most of which offer prescription drug coverage, according to CMS, which announced the new premium rates Oct. 1. Only 1.5% of all Medicare beneficiaries -- and about 7% of those enrolled in Medicare Advantage -- will need to choose new coverage in 2010 because current plans are not renewing. Most of these are private fee-for-service plans that decided to exit the program, CMS said.
The agency is encouraging beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to review their current coverage for any changes plans may make before the annual open enrollment period begins Nov. 15.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/10/12/gvbf1012.htm.
