Medicare Cost Increases to Participants Significantly Outpaces General Inflation

Editor’s note: Why are lawmakers pleased? The rate of increase in both Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans exceed general CPI by at least 2x! It is exactly this relationship that reflects the growing unaffordability of health care.

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Premiums on Medicare Advantage plans will average $39 a month next year, a $7 increase from 2009, the CMS reported. Medicare prescription-drug plan premiums by comparison will average $30 in 2010, just a $2 increase from 2009. Those who qualify for Medicare low-income subsidies will pay no premiums or deductibles in the Part D plans.

Lawmakers and insurers alike were pleased by the news from the CMS that progress has been made to protect enrollees in Medicare Advantage and Part D. In addition to its new marketing guidelines for Medicare Advantage plans, the CMS plans to expand surveillance efforts by conducting a greater variety of secret-shopping activities.

http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20091002/REG/310029962/-1