Many seniors continue to acquire medications from Canada and abroad, claiming that mail-order prices are cheaper than the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses they would have to pay for the same drugs under Medicare Part D, reports an article in the Los Angeles Times. But without relatively healthy seniors signing up for the drug benefit, Medicare Part D could suffer financial difficulties, say insurance experts, who point out that of the 14.3 million seniors currently enrolled in Medicare’s drug plan, only 3.6 million signed up voluntarily. According to a 2004 Kaiser study, as many as 25% of seniors may find that their drug expenses are higher under Medicare Part D.
Meanwhile, the AARP is attempting to get Congress to revise Medicare Part D rules so that more seniors qualify for financial assistance under the drug benefit, according to an article in the Washington Post. The advocacy group also wants the government to negotiate drug prices instead of allowing insurance plans that sell Medicare Part D plans to set pricing.
