Statement by Medicare Rights Center President Joe Baker
on the Continued Stability of Medicare Advantage and Part D

New York, NY – The stability of the Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plan market in 2015 is welcome news to Medicare beneficiaries, who in general will continue to see affordable premiums and similar access to plans as they have in years past. As the Affordable Care Act (ACA) strengthens Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, beneficiaries continue to be protected from significant increases in costs, benefits remain stable and access to higher-quality plans is strong.

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 now enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans is at an all-time high while premiums remain affordable. Additionally in 2015, the Part D doughnut hole will continue to close with coverage of brand name drugs increasing to 55 percent of the cost of the drug in the doughnut hole, while generic drug coverage will increase to 35 percent.

As Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare approaches, taking place from October 15 to December 7, the Medicare Rights Center is pleased to share with you our Fall Open Enrollment Period resource for journalists. This resource contains a list of upcoming changes, expert advice and related issues of interest to people with Medicare. Also included are consumer-friendly resources that may be of interest to your audience.

The Fall Open Enrollment Period resource for oddstake journalists is available on our website at: https://www.medicarerights.org/pdf/fall-open-enrollment-journalist-resource.pdf.

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