Medicare unveils prescription drug plans for 2010
October 2, 2009
Texans enrolled in Medicare drug plans will see changes in their coverage and out-of-pocket expenses for 2010.
Medicare released details of the private drug plans as the annual marketing period began Thursday.
Written by Bob Moos, The Dallas Morning News
Texans enrolled in Medicare drug plans will see changes in their coverage and out-of-pocket expenses for 2010. Medicare released details of the private drug plans as the annual marketing period began Thursday. Enrollment kicks off Nov. 15 and runs until Dec. 31. "Beneficiaries should review their plan and compare it with others to make sure it's still the best deal for them in 2010," said Jessica Jenkins, a spokeswoman in Medicare's Dallas office. Nineteen insurers will sell 48 stand-alone drug plans in Texas for 2010 – three fewer insurers and five fewer plans than this year. Many companies will offer a basic plan and one or more plans with more extensive coverage. Monthly premiums in Texas will range from $21 for Aetna's basic plan to $113.40 for Scott & White's enhanced plan, but consumer advocates urge beneficiaries to look at more than premiums in evaluating plans. Consumers should also check whether a plan covers their drugs and what the co-payments are for those prescriptions, advocates say. Ten drug plans in Texas will cover many or all generic drugs in the "doughnut hole" in 2010. One of those, Cigna's enhanced plan, will also pay for a few brand-name drugs in the coverage gap. Beneficiaries without coverage in the doughnut hole will pay the full price of their prescriptions once their total drug expenses reach $2,830 next year. After their total costs hit $6,440, they pay just 5 percent of the bills. Beginning in mid-October, seniors will be able to use Medicare's online "plan finder" at www.medicare.gov or call Medicare's customer service number at 1-800-633-4227 to compare the 2010 plans. Beneficiaries will also receive their "Medicare & You 2010" handbook later this month.
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