With the economy currently in apparent free fall, most of the major Medicare Part D drug plans are projecting a 31% average drug premium increase in the coming year, if you believe the Wall Street Journal's current reporting on their website. At the same time, U.S. News and World Report sends a rosy message that premium costs are under control and will not rise. 

Reviewing further reports, Bloomberg, the Associated Press, independent news outlets, and medical websites all point towards increases and other changes with which seniors will need to grapple as 2009 begins. 

Medicare benficiaries are also warned about the "coverage gap" that may have a profound effect on their healthcare costs. These "gaps" occur when seniors on Medicare reach the $2,510 drug benefit cap whereby Medicare stops paying for medications until the beneficiary has spent $5,726 on medications. Some seniors may be able to purchase further insurance for to cover prescription drug gap expenses, but this can vary from state to state. 

Overall, the economic forecast for seniors on Medicare just got a little bit worse, echoing the gloomy nationwide---and global--trend. 

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NurseKeith is a nurse, blogger, consultant, and writer. Please feel to visit his blog, Digital Doorway. 

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Worry
written by SunnyRN, September 27, 2008

I worry about how seniors will make ends meet this winter. Heating costs and food costs are also rising.

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