Medicare Takes Major Step Toward 2006 Drug Benefit

Issues Approval To Plans Offering Coverage Prescription Drug Plans Under $20 In 49 States

Medicare Advantage Options Also Increase

Medicare took a major step toward its new prescription drug coverage today by formally approving prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans which will offer the coverage starting Jan. 1, 2006, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced.

The prescription drug plans, which work with traditional Medicare, and the Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage and additional benefits, can begin marketing their plans on Oct. 1. More details on those plans will come in the next few weeks.

>> Today’s approvals include: Prescription drug plans in every state – with no area needing the “fallback” plan that would have been required without at least two organizations competing.
>> Between 11 and 20 organizations offering prescription drug plans in each region.
>> Ten organizations offering drug coverage nationwide.
>> In every state but Alaska, at least one prescription drug plan with a premium of less than $20 a month. ...

Read the full story at:

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

~ : ~ : ~ : ~ : ~ : ~ : ~

Read our article on:

How to Find Affordable Rhode Island Health Insurance