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AARP Survey Finds Medicare Rx Is What the Doctor Ordered

April 13, 2006

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A new survey released by AARP finds that nearly eight-in-ten, (78 percent) of those enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan say they are satisfied.

According to beneficiary June Dirks of Wichita, Kansas, if you haven't yet enrolled, "It's time to get moving!"

Dirks says she's saving about $200 every three months with the drug plan, and she's not alone. Only 20 percent of those surveyed said they were not saving money with their plans.

AARP Director of Health Strategy Cheryl Matheis explains, "Before Medicare added a drug benefit, more than half of those in the program either lacked drug coverage or had inadequate coverage that did not protect them from high out-of-pocket costs. The new plans fill a critical need for affordable prescriptions drugs".

As of March 2006, over 27 million people are enrolled in a new Medicare drug plan. Of those surveyed who had prescription drug coverage before 2006, 63 percent reported their new Medicare drug plan is either better or as good as their previous coverage.

Only 17 percent said their new coverage is worse than what they had in 2005 and in prior years.

Because people are now using their new drug plans, AARP is hearing stories of savings everyday.

"Only a few short months ago, we were hearing stories from people who had to make difficult choices to afford their prescription drugs. Now the choice has become which of the many drug plans is best for me?" noted Matheis.

Forty percent of those surveyed thought they would need to give up something if Medicare had not added the new prescription drug benefit. Respondents often listed groceries, cutting back on medication, looking for less expensive housing, and cutting back on savings as sacrifices they would most commonly have to make.

Release of the study came about one month before Medicare's drug benefit enrollment deadline of May 15th.

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