CMS Announces Changes to Medicare Drug Premiums

The Wall Street Journal reported that CMS said that many Medicare beneficiaries may see their drug-plan premiums rise slightly in 2010. On average, the agency expects seniors to pay $2 more per month for stand-alone drug plans.

CQ HealthBeat explained “that 800,000 low-income Medicare beneficiaries will have to switch prescription drug plans next year if they want to continue in coverage that doesn’t entail having to pay monthly premiums. The switch means a number of those beneficiaries may find that their current drugs are not covered and that they will have to switch to similar drugs.” Peter Ashkenaz, CMS spokesman, said “that if beneficiaries facing reassignment ‘need to take specific drugs, they should look for a plan that covers as many of their current drugs as possible.’”