Q1Medicare Analysis Shows 56 Percent of California Seniors Can Expect to Pay Higher 2014 Medicare Part D Drug Plan Premiums
Saint Augustine, Florida (PRWEB) October 13, 2013 -- An analysis of the 2014 Medicare landscape data by Q1Medicare shows that 56 percent of California seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan will face an increase in their 2014 Medicare Part D plan premiums.
This means that approximately 965,000 people will see an average increase in monthly premiums of $7.29 in 2014, unless they chose to enroll in a lower costing prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plan.
The good news is that California seniors have a number of low-cost 2014 coverage options available, including five state-wide Medicare Part D plans and, in most counties, Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage having monthly premiums under $25. All 2014 California Medicare Part D plans can be reviewed at PDP-Finder.com/CA.
California seniors must also be aware that Medicare prescription drug plan formularies (or drug lists) will also change in 2014. Four 2014 California stand-alone prescription drug plans will increase the size of their formulary, while 21 Part D plans will reduce the number of drugs on their 2014 formulary.
California Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for the Medicare Part D "Extra Help" program will find that more 2014 Part D plans qualify for the $0 premium full Low-Income Subsidy as compared to last year. In 2013, only six Medicare Part D plans qualified for the $0 premium Low-Income Subsidy as compared to nine Part D plans in 2014.
California residents can use the Q1Medicare PDP-Compare tool to learn more about changes in their 2014 stand-alone Medicare Part D plan coverage. PDP-Compare is available at PDP-Compare.com/CA.
Residents of most California counties can also expect to see changes in 2014 Medicare Advantage plan availability. Imperial County had the largest decrease in Medicare Advantage plans, down seven plans from 2013 to only one 2014 Medicare Advantage plan. In comparison, Los Angeles County, will offer 59 Medicare Advantage plans in 2014, down one plan from 2013. California residents can use the Q1Medicare MA-Compare.com tool to learn more about changes in Medicare Advantage plan coverage and availability.
All Q1Medicare.com tools are available to site visitors at no cost and designed for computer, smartphone and tablet platforms.
Q1Medicare.com reminds seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries that they can enroll in a 2014 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan during the annual Open Enrollment Period starting October 15th and continuing through December 7th.
About the Q1Medicare.com Website
Q1Medicare.com is one of the largest independent online resources for Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and Medicare Advantage plan information. Q1Medicare offers a large selection of Frequently Asked Questions, online tools, and a free Medicare Part D Newsletter all designed to help Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare professionals, advocates, advisers, caregivers, and insurance agents better understand both the Medicare Part D prescription drug and Medicare Advantage programs. Q1Medicare.com is operated by Q1Group LLC (Saint Augustine, California).
Dr. Susan Johnson, Q1Group LLC, http://bit.ly/17xmFEe, (904) 461-8994, [email protected]
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