Seniors still interested in enrolling or changing their Medicare policy have approximately 30 hours to do their research and pick a plan that may potentially lower their prescription drug costs in 2009.
It is estimated the top ten Medicare plans will have a healthcare cost increase as high as 63 percent from last year’s plans, EmaxHealth.com reports. To offset these costs, seniors can talk to their doctor to prescribe a different combination of pills that my yield lower costs.
However, given the timeframe, this may be too late.
Instead, seniors may want to opt for generic drugs instead of choosing brand-name ones in an effort to save money. Earlier this year, it was reported that some generic drugs, specifically ones involved in heart disease, had the same medical benefits as brand-name medications.
Jerry Yunker of Missouri was enrolled in Medicare Part D last year and recently learned his premium would jump from $20.70 to $38.30 if he stayed with the same plan next year, News-Leader.com reports. By keeping the brand-name drugs, the increases would cost him an extra $750 a year. He has since switched.
Seniors who may still be confused about the Medicare plan can call the 24-hour government hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE.
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