Medicare Part D...Sorry Costs Are Going Go Up
The monthly premium
for the basic Medicare drug benefit in 2009 is projected to average $28
-- $3 more than in 2008, according to the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid -- but consultants put the hikes for the most popular plans
considerably higher.
But, although the $3 national average increase represents a 12% hike, premiums for the 10 most popular plans will increase by 31% according to Avalere Health, a Washington, D.C., consulting company.
The Wall Street Journal said the Avalere analysis found that the average premium increase for all plans would be 24%, reflecting a $7 increase from the 2008 average premium cost of $30.
UnitedHealth Group's AARP preferred plan, used by 2.7 million Medicare beneficiaries this year, will charge $37 a month next year, an increase of 15.5% from 2008.
Humana's basic plan will charge $40.83 in 2009, up from $9.51 in 2006, when the Humana plan was the cheapest available.
Wise Owl