Many of you may be aware that in 2020, the annual out-of-pocket costs for Part D beneficiaries with high drug costs is going to jump drastically—an increase of $1,250 from last year—before they meet the catastrophic coverage limit.

 

This is despite the fact that many seniors are expecting lowered drug prices, given that the average Part D plan premium has decreased slightly and there is a lot of discussion at the federal level about trying to decrease drug costs for older adults.

 

NCOA’s public policy team is trying to generate attention to this issue, including through raising awareness in a memo to Congress and through press attention. As such, we would like to solicit your help in putting a human face to this issue. If you have clients with exorbitant drug costs, who’ve reached the donut hole/catastrophic coverage, please share with us:

 

• Their personal story (can be anonymous) and how these escalating prices have affected their health and financial security.
• If you have permission, contact details from someone willing to speak publicly about this. We don’t have a reporter lined up yet to interview a client about this issue, but in the event we are contacted by the press, would like to have someone we can mobilize quickly.

 

Thank you for the great work you do in helping clients navigate their coverage—we like to showcase these stories as a reason why support for your work is so valuable!

 

Brandy Bauer

Associate Director, Center for Benefits Access

Office: 571-527-3911

xxxxxx@ncoa.org

 

National Council on Aging

Improving the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling

251 18^th Street South, Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22202

ncoa.org | @NCOAging