The Democrats better be shouting about the $2000 Medicare Part D out of pocket cap with megaphones in the general election

[SteveGrabowski]

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare Part D has an out of pocket maximum of $2000 starting in 2025

Saving money with the prescription drug law

www.medicare.gov

It's $8000 right now before you hit catastrophic coverage which then pays 100% of drug costs. The Democrats better be shouting about this cap to $2000 from the rooftop with megaphones for the entire run up to the election as a real reason for the demographic with the highest turnout to vote for Biden as well as Democrats in the house and senate. Being bled out from drug prices has to be about the biggest concern for seniors right now, at least for the ones I know who aren't die hards for Trump. Part D is the one part of legit Medicare that's wholly inadequate (the scam Medicare Advantage is another story altogether) if say you need a medicine that your plan prices at Tier 3 or 4. If the Democrats don't continually put this out in the media this year that they did this with the Inflation Reduction Act to the point that it's common knowledge to Americans they deserve to lose the election.

 

[ivwshane]

Good luck with that. If there is one thing democrats are horrible at, it is touting the policies they got enacted.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Good luck with that. If there is one thing democrats are horrible at it touting the policies they got enacted.

Sadly you are correct

 

[Greenman]

As part of the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare Part D has an out of pocket maximum of $2000 starting in 2025

Saving money with the prescription drug law

www.medicare.gov

It's $8000 right now before you hit catastrophic coverage which then pays 100% of drug costs. The Democrats better be shouting about this cap to $2000 from the rooftop with megaphones for the entire run up to the election as a real reason for the demographic with the highest turnout to vote for Biden as well as Democrats in the house and senate. Being bled out from drug prices has to be about the biggest concern for seniors right now, at least for the ones I know who aren't die hards for Trump. Part D is the one part of legit Medicare that's wholly inadequate (the scam Medicare Advantage is another story altogether) if say you need a medicine that your plan prices at Tier 3 or 4. If the Democrats don't continually put this out in the media this year that they did this with the Inflation Reduction Act to the point that it's common knowledge to Americans they deserve to lose the election.

I've read your statement and the link twice, and don't understand what the issue is.
I'm also confused by referring to advantage plans as a scam. I'm on an advantage plan and couldn't be happier with it. Clearly I'm missing something.

 

[brycejones]

I'm also confused by referring to advantage plans as a scam. I'm on an advantage plan and couldn't be happier with it. Clearly I'm missing something.

In your case they are just fine, don't be concerned about their higher rates of mortality.

 

[Indus]

Sadly you are correct

And people get apathetic to that.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

Good luck with that. If there is one thing democrats are horrible at, it is touting the policies they got enacted.

This really needs to be in every DNC commercial run in shows seniors watch, that Biden caps your drugs to $2000 a year in the Medicare prescription drug plan starting in 2025 while that goes away the second Trump takes office if you vote him in. Sucks for people who got conned into shitty Medicare Advantage but maybe D having that cap will pressure shitty Advantage plans to do similar for fear of seniors abandoning them. Though for seniors with the worst drug costs who are already in shitty Medicare Advantage they're kind of stuck since Part G plans (that pay the 20% of the non-medicine insurance bill Part B doesn't cover) can reject you or jack up your premiums for previous health history if you sign up for them at any time other than when you turn 65 (when they can't reject you and can't consider medical history).

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I'd rather they wipe the Part B premium for anyone under $X.00 income level. That would be an immediate $2,000 increase for many.

The Part D thing doesn't apply to everyone as some have drug coverage by other means and don't use it.

 

[UNCjigga]

Republicans are better at crowing about the Inflation Reduction Act in their districts—even the ones who voted against it. Any red state taking advantage of federal dollars for any post-Obamacare Medicaid expansion has branded it with a different name and made it look like a state program. They only give Feds the credit when there are funding shortfalls or kids getting kicked off of low-income care due to Republican votes.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I'd rather they wipe the Part B premium for anyone under $X.00 income level. That would be an immediate $2,000 increase for many.

The Part D thing doesn't apply to everyone as some have drug coverage by other means and don't use it.

Gotta strongly disagree. Tier 4 drugs you can end up being charged a nearly 50% copay and the $2000 cap would be a lifeline to people who need them. Even being on a single Tier 3 drug you can hit that $2000 cap pretty easily. The $2100 annual charge for the 2024 Part B premium is certainly significant for many seniors but can easily be dwarfed in comparison to what medication can cost if you end up being put on something with no generic alternative.

 

[cytg111]

This thread partly belongs over in the "US/EU addicted to Chinese goods" ... cause damn hell hurray for bootleg Chinese meds. Im a fan .

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Far more people are affected by Part B than Part D.

Both can be based on income; something like under 200% of Poverty ... whatever that is each year.

 

[Pohemi]

Far more people are affected by Part B than Part D.

This is true, but the part B annual premium is a flat amount, it doesn't differ depending on individual needs. While doing what you suggest would save the $2K for far more people, consider those whose script co-pays can cost in the 10s of thousands each year.

TBH I'm not sure which side of that I'd agree with. That 2K annually can be hard for seniors, but scripts for some can be out of reach simply due to affordability and what their Medicare will cover.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Which is why I mentioned an income test. Under that, Part D costs either wouldn't apply at all or be discounted.

But the better way to deal with that is at the Big Pharma level. Curtail their prices. Joe is trying, but the drug pushers are balking and whining.

 

[Pohemi]

Which is why I mentioned an income test. Under that, Part D costs either wouldn't apply at all or be discounted.

TBH I'm surprised it isn't already like that. Low-income subsidy could also be applied to the annual part B premium, if it isn't already.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

LIS puts me on a plan that supposedly pays everything, plus some extras. But Part B is still dependent on the state putting you on a Medicare Savings program where the state effectively pays Part B.

It gets too complicated with too many people involved and their own requirements and exceptions.

It all needs to be simplified. Get the states out of it. Exempt Part B and some Part D costs at the Federal level.

One reason some states opted out of the Summer Foods program for kids was the cost of administering the program. I don't see why they should be saddled with those costs. Cut out the middle man.

 

[IronWing]

TBH I'm surprised it isn't already like that. Low-income subsidy could also be applied to the annual part B premium, if it isn't already.

It's described as a surcharge on high incomes but it amounts to the same thing.

As far as the $2000 thing goes, the Reps just have the scream, "Biden is charging every senior on Medicare $2000!!!!" Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.

 

[feralkid]

Clearly I'm missing something.

Every minute of your life.

 

[Greenman]

Every minute of your life.

I hope that made you feel empowered.