Seniors Spend High Cost for Gap in Rewards Coverage

Given that the Medicare Part D drug benefit was unveiled, it has confirmed to be even far more confusing and inefficient than its critics predicted. Even seniors who have been able to register for the plan must nevertheless struggle with a $3,000 gap in advantages coverage and a hefty monthly premium.

Already the government has had to modify the system: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Solutions reversed an earlier selection prohibiting new Medicare prescription drug program recipients from participating in free or subsidized drug applications sponsored by pharmaceutical producers.

But we can't stop there. The reversal fails to count the complete worth of these prescriptions toward seniors' $three,000 obligation, an expense that could put a lot of in the poorhouse.

The Bush administration claims that its new benefit medicaid medicare fraud is a very good deal for men and women who are not eligible for Medicaid. However most people will pay not only a $250 deductible, but also 25 percent co-insurance on the subsequent $two,000 in covered drug fees. And add roughly $32 a month per person for a monthly premium.

In addition, the new Medicare program requires every single senior to cover 100 percent of the costs more than $two,000 until catastrophic coverage kicks in at $five,100.

We can and should close the holes that might ruin seniors' fiscal wellness as they attempt to preserve their physical health.

Private organizations are already taking action. A group of pharmaceutical firms announced a program named "Bridge Rx," which will assist seniors trapped in the $three,000 hole afford their medications. Seniors will get drug discounts of at medicare medicaid fraud least 50 percent in exchange fraud reporting for a 15 percent co-spend.

Washington really should also act by letting those who qualify for subsidized pharmaceutical manufacturer applications like Bridge Rx - but who concurrently pay a monthly Component D premium - count the full value of their medications' formulary value toward the $3,000 gap.

The goal of the Medicare prescription drug plan was to support seniors, not create income for insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. It is time to deliver on the promises that were created.