Study: Gains From Medicare Part D Are Waning
Although Medicare Part D in its first few years had a positive effect on beneficiaries, such as lowering their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, those gains have reversed in recent years, according to a recent study published in Health Affairs. The study found that the percentage of beneficiaries who did not take their medications as prescribed -- by not taking them, skipping or reducing doses, or delaying refills -- because of affordability concerns declined from nearly 15% in 2005, before Part D took effect in 2006, to 11.3% in 2007 and 10.2% in 2009. However, the percentage of such beneficiaries increased in 2011 to 10.8%.
- "Part D Gains May Be Eroding" (Span, "The New Old Age," New York Times, 8/21).