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Big Savings for Seniors with Chronic Conditions in
Medicare Drug Program
Eighty-six percent of the Medicare population studied
had at least one chronic condition
Jan. 19, 2006 - Millions of senior citizens and
other Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions can expect
significant savings on prescription drugs under the new Medicare
prescription benefit, according to a National Health Council study
released today. Beneficiaries with a single chronic condition can save,
on average, about $400 annually. Beneficiaries with four or more chronic
conditions can save $1,774, on average.
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"This study lays out, in black and white, the
anticipated costs and savings for those with various chronic conditions.
Access to treatment means healthier lives, lower healthcare costs and
less strain on the healthcare system," said National Health Council
president Myrl Weinberg at today's press conference in Washington, D.C.
"We show very clearly through this report that the
Medicare drug benefit has the potential to have a tremendous positive
impact on both the lives of those with chronic conditions and the system
through which they receive their care," said National Health Council
president Myrl Weinberg at today's press conference in Washington, D.C."
Eighty-six percent of the Medicare population
studied had at least one chronic condition. Sixty-six percent had two or
more chronic conditions, and 40 percent had three or more chronic
conditions.
The report studied Medicare beneficiaries who face
a decision whether to enroll in the Medicare drug benefit (i.e.,
excluded those auto-enrolled in the benefit and those with
employer-based creditable drug coverage)
The report looked at anticipated savings under the
Medicare drug benefit for those with one or more of nine common chronic
diseases: Alzheimer's, arthritis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD), diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, mental disorder,
osteoporosis and Parkinson's disease.
Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions have
higher than average drug costs. According to the study, beneficiaries
with just a single chronic condition average more than $1,500 in drug
spending annually, while those with four or more conditions spend more
than $4,200 annually.
Beneficiaries with chronic conditions are also more
likely to face annual drug spending that exceeds $5,100, qualifying them
for Medicare's catastrophic drug cost coverage. For example, nearly a
third of beneficiaries who have four or more chronic conditions have
catastrophic levels of drug spending.
Expected savings under the Medicare drug plan are
higher for beneficiaries with chronic conditions than for those without.
The report presents examples of costs and savings for each of the
chronic conditions studied, including conditions likely to push people
into the "catastrophic drug cost category."
For example, the study showed that nearly 40
percent of Medicare patients in the study with Parkinson's disease
experienced annual prescription drug costs of more than $5,100, the
catastrophic level under the Medicare drug benefit. These individuals
will save, on average, $3,900 annually if enrolled in the Medicare drug
benefit. Similarly, 26 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in the study
who suffered from mental disorders had catastrophic levels of drug
spending, and these beneficiaries paid an average of more than $8,500
annually for medication treatment. Under the Medicare prescription drug
benefit, that cost would be cut in half, to an average annual cost: of
$4,400.
"It is critical that people with chronic conditions
make informed decisions about selecting a plan so they get maximum
coverage for all their specific drug needs," noted William McLin,
executive director of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Savings from the Medicare Drug Benefit for
Beneficiaries with Chronic Conditions is based on Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid (CMS) data analyzed by The Lewin Group, a healthcare policy
research firm.
About information source:
The National Health Council is a private, nonprofit
organization of 110 national health-related organizations working to
bring quality health care to all people. Its core membership includes
more than 50 of the nation's leading voluntary health agencies
representing about 100 million people with chronic diseases and/or
disabilities. Other Council members include professional and membership
associations, nonprofit organizations with an interest in health, and
major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The Council serves as
a place for diverse health-related groups to build consensus with a
focus on patients and their needs.
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