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Since the Medicare Part D drug benefit was unveiled, it has proven to be even a lot more confusing and inefficient than its critics predicted. Even seniors who have been able to register for the program should nevertheless struggle with a $three,000 gap in advantages coverage and a hefty monthly premium.

Already the government has had to change the system: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Solutions reversed an earlier decision prohibiting new Medicare prescription drug strategy recipients from participating in totally free or subsidized drug programs sponsored by pharmaceutical producers.

But we can not stop there. The reversal fails to count the complete worth of these prescriptions toward seniors' $three,000 obligation, an expense that could put a lot of in the poorhouse.

The Bush administration claims that its new benefit is a excellent deal for men and women who are not eligible for Medicaid. Yet most people will pay not only medical billing fraud a $250 deductible, but also 25 percent co-insurance coverage on different types of medicare the next $2,000 in covered drug costs. And add roughly $32 a month per individual for a monthly premium.

In addition, the new Medicare strategy demands every senior to cover 100 percent of the fees more than $2,000 till catastrophic coverage kicks in at $five,100.

We can and need to close the holes that may possibly ruin seniors' fiscal health as they attempt to preserve their physical wellness.

Private companies are currently taking action. A group of pharmaceutical organizations announced a program referred to as "Bridge Rx," which will aid seniors trapped in the $3,000 hole afford their medicines. Seniors will get drug discounts of at least 50 percent in exchange for a 15 percent co-spend.

Washington should also act by letting those who qualify for subsidized pharmaceutical manufacturer applications like Bridge Rx - but who concurrently pay a monthly Part D premium - count the complete worth of their medications' formulary value toward the $three,000 gap.

The goal of the Medicare prescription drug program was to support seniors, not create income for insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. It is time to deliver reporting medicare fraud on the promises that were made.