More Than 39M enrolled in Medicare Prescription Drug Plans; Beneficiaries on qverage wave $1,200 Per Year, CMS says

Jan 31, 2007--More than 39 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare prescription drug plans, CMS officials announced Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press reports.

According to CMS, 1.6 million beneficiaries have signed up for a Medicare plan since June 2006 (Anstett, Detroit Free Press, 1/31).

CMS Director Leslie Norwalk said since June 2006, enrollment for dual eligible beneficiaries, who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid but receive drug coverage under the Medicare benefit, increased from 6.02 million to 6.27 million; enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage increased from 6.04 million to 6.65 million; and enrollment in stand-alone plans increased from 10.37 million to 10.98 million beneficiaries (Carey, CQ HealthBeat , 1/30).

CMS officials said that retirees receiving prescription drug coverage through former employers and the military declined by 1% (Wolfe, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 1/30).

According to CMS, the average monthly price of premiums under the drug plans declined by $1 to $22 per month, compared to last year -- 42% lower than original estimates (USA Today, 1/31). Beneficiaries on average are saving $1,200 annually, CMS said (Detroit Free Press, 1/31).

According to a CMS tracking survey, about 75% of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a drug plan reported satisfaction with the benefit, and 6% of beneficiaries switched plans, primarily for greater coverage during the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap.

Norwalk said, "Our tracking surveys conducted this month indicate that 85% of seniors were aware of the open-enrollment period and over 50% reviewed their current coverage. Among the 600 seniors surveyed, 34% reported comparing plans, and over half of these seniors evaluated premium, deductible or [copayments], and coverage -- that is, their comparisons appeared to be thorough" (CMS release, 1/30).

According to Norwalk, the fact that those beneficiaries were aware of the open enrollment period or switched plans demonstrates that they are "smart shoppers and informed consumers." Norwalk also said that 350,000 of the 900,000 people who enrolled in a Medicare drug plan last fall did so through the Medicare Web site, www.medicare.gov (Detroit Free Press, 1/31).

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The Department for Aging and Independent Living also will collaborate with other cabinet and external agencies serving persons with mental health and other types of disabilities.

Since assuming office in 2003, Governor Fletcher’s administration has supported and played a key role in addressing immediate and long-term issues impacting the quality of life and care for Kentucky seniors and people with disabilities:

Approved a budget with an additional $7.5 million over the 2007-08 biennium to expand and improve the Personal Care Attendant Program, adult day services, in-home services and home-delivered meals; and

Another $3.25 million over the biennium to the Kentucky Caregiver Grandparents Program to help support and provide needed services to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Launched the three-year Kentucky Elder Readiness Initiative to assess community preparedness to cope with the enormous changes predicted as the baby boom generation ages. KERI findings will be used to help communities minimize the challenges and maximize the opportunities of a rapidly growing elder population.

Funded the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center pilot project currently under way in Northern Kentucky to establish a statewide one-stop information and assistance program for individuals and families seeking long-term care services and options.

Appointed eight new members to the state Institute on Aging and established the new Subcommittee on the White House Conference on Aging to further help guide aging policy and service delivery for elder Kentuckians.