Changes to the Medicare D Prescription Program in 2007 may significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. With an end to the seizure campaign by U.S. Customs, American seniors once again turn to licensed Canadian pharmacies for safe, affordable medications and savings superior to Medicare.
Toronto, Canada Dec. 4th, 2006 (via PRWEB)
With the enrollment period for 2007 Medicare D prescription program underway, American seniors are
being urged to re-assess their drug plans because of new changes that could dramatically increase
enrollment costs. Many providers have revised the drugs that are covered under plan formularies and
most have increased the monthly premiums, some by as much as three-fold. Although the increase to
premiums averages 13% nationally, coverage for branded drugs in the "Donut Hole" or coverage gap has
skyrocketed in most states with no availability whatsoever in 13 states.¹
Faced with having to pay exorbitant premiums or 100% of medication costs in the
Doughnut Hole, American seniors are turning to
online Canadian pharmacies
like
ADV-Care (
www.ADV-Care.com or
www.PharmacyOnTheNet.com) for price relief.
"Our pharmacy is being inundated with calls from American seniors reporting that their Medicare annual
costs will increase by at least three to four hundred dollars in 2007 with some expecting to see their
costs increase by more than a thousand dollars," says Ramy Attalla, Director of Communications for
ADV-Care Pharmacy. "Beneficiaries that had brand coverage in the gap in 2006 are now facing huge
premium increases that are simply unaffordable."
Seven states in the Upper Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North
Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming) will see the largest percent increase, with
monthly premiums for these plans increasing by 185 percent. Overall, their
premiums will shoot up from $38.70 in 2006 to $110.30 in 2007. New Jersey and Missouri will see
premium increases of 180 and 111 percent respectively for plans with meaningful coverage in the
doughnut hole.¹
To further add insult to injury, some seniors may be forced to incur a 7% late enrollment penalty if
they did not enroll when originally eligible. Annual deductibles have also increased to $ 265 in 2007
from $ 250 in 2006 (when applicable) including a widening of the doughnut hole that will require
patients to pay $ 3,850 out-of-pocket before gaining catastrophic coverage, as opposed to $ 3,600
in 2006.
"The bottom line in 2007 is that enrollment costs are going up substantially, drug coverage is
declining and the brand name coverage in the doughnut hole is being eliminated," says David MacKay,
and international pharmacy expert and consultant.
"Medicare D is an insurance program, not a benefit. As consumption increases, so too will cost.
The changes in 2007 clearly demonstrate the limitations of the program."
"Therefore, seniors are wise to re-evaluate their plans and consider online Canadian pharmacies
especially since Customs seizures are no longer an issue."
Many Canadian pharmacies, like
ADV-Care
(
www.ADV-Care.com or
www.PharmacyOnTheNet.com),
have established international operations and can offer a variety of approved medications from several
countries often at savings superior to Medicare D. But more importantly, American seniors may find it
advantageous to take advantage of both options simultaneously by ordering from a Canadian pharmacy
whenever their Medicare plan requires paying full price for medications.
"Many patients order from our online pharmacy when their drugs are not covered by their plan or when
they enter the doughnut hole, knowing they will never spend through it," adds Attalla.
"Taking advantage of imported medications when Medicare slackens is smart and easy - something more
seniors will be discovering next year for sure."
ADV-Care Pharmacy (www.ADV-Care.com or www.PharmacyOnTheNet.com) is licensed by the Ontario College
of Pharmacists (Accreditation # 38132) and has been safely dispensing medications to Canadian & U.S.
residents for 6 years. All Canadian medications are Health Canada approved and are dispensed by
licensed pharmacists.
¹ FamiliesUSA Special Report, Nov. 2006 - Coverage Through the "Doughnut Hole" Grows Scarcer in 2007
(see attached)
###
Source:
PRWEB
