With the enrollment period for 2007 Medicare D prescription program underway, American seniors are being urged to rethink their drug plans because of new changes that can dramatically increase their enrollment costs. A lot of providers have revised the drugs that are covered under the plan and many have increased their monthly premiums, some by as much as three-fold. Although the increase to premiums averages 13% nationally, coverage for branded drugs in the "Donut Hole" or coverage gap have skyrocketed in most areas with no availability whatsoever in 13 states.
To further add insult to injury, many seniors may be forced to incur a 7% late enrollment penalty if they did not enroll when originally eligible. Annual deductibles have also increased to $265 in 2007 from $ 250 in 2006 (when applicable) including a widening of the doughnut hole that will require patients to pay $3,850 out-of-pocket before gaining catastrophic coverage, as opposed to $3,600 in 2006.
Many Canadian pharmacies, like XLPharmacy Canada (www.xlpharmacycanada.com or www.xlpharmacy-us.com), have established international operations and can offer a wide variety of approved medications from several countries often at savings superior to Medicare D. But more importantly, American seniors may find it helpful to take advantage of both options simultaneously by ordering from a Canadian pharmacy whenever their Medicare plan requires they pay full price for their medications.
Many patients order from our online pharmacy when their drugs are not covered by their plan or when they enter the doughnut hole, knowing they will never spend through it. Taking advantage of imported medications when Medicare slackens is smart and easy - something more seniors will be discovering next year for sure.
