Press Release             

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mitchell Clark
Senior Communications Associate
212-204-6286

September 19, 2012

Statement by Medicare Rights Center President Joe Baker on 
Release of Medicare Private Plan Information

New York, NY – The stability to the Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plan market in 2013 is welcome news to Medicare beneficiaries, who in general will have similar access to plans as they have in years past. In addition, while implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) strengthens Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, beneficiaries continue to be protected from significant increases in costs, and benefits remain stable—despite some predictions to the contrary.

Since the ACA was enacted in 2010, seniors and people with disabilities have seen a plan market with lower average premiums, higher enrollment, and lower prescription drug costs. And in 2013, the Part D doughnut hole will continue to close with coverage of brand name drugs increasing to 53 percent of the cost of the drug in the doughnut hole, while generic drug coverage will increase to 21 percent.

As Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare approaches, the Medicare Rights Center is pleased to share with you our Fall Open Enrollment Period resource for journalists. Of specific importance are the dates of the Fall Open Enrollment period, which have changed this year; the enrollment season will now begin on October 15 and end on December 7.

The resource is available on our website at: http://www.medicarerights.org/pdf/2012-Fall-Open-Enrollment-Resource-for-Journalists.pdf.

 

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Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and public policy initiatives.

 

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