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Medicare today released state-by-state data reflecting enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug benefit that began on January 1, 2006. Pharmacists around the country are filling a million prescriptions a day, and many seniors are reporting that they are already saving money from the benefit.
In total, more than 24 million people with Medicare across the U.S. now have prescription drug coverage through Medicare Advantage Plans, new stand-alone prescription drug plans, and employer and union plans. More than 2.6 million people signed up for the new stand-alone prescription drug plans in the last 30 days, on top of the 1 million who had enrolled in the first 30 days of the program.
National drug benefit enrollment figures as of January 13 are:
- Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans: about 3.6 million (2.6 million since Dec. 13)
- Medicare/Medicaid: 6.2 million, including 600,000 in Medicare Advantage plans (not included below)
- Medicare Advantage: 4.5 million (plus 600,000 Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries included above)
- Retiree coverage: About 6.4 million retirees are enrolled in the Medicare retiree subsidy. Also, as stated last month, about 1 million retirees are in employer coverage that incorporates or supplements Medicare’s coverage. Another estimated 500,000 retirees are continuing in coverage that is as good as Medicare’s.
TRICARE/ FEHB retirees: 3.1 million
The fact sheet with state-specific enrollment numbers as of January 13, 2006 is attached. Please note that in the state table, the 600,000 Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries are included in the Medicare Advantage column rather than with Medicare/Medicaid, as above.
Click here to view the actual press release
