Hoyer: CMS Report Shows Health Reform Delivers Lower Costs to Maryland's Seniors

Press Release

Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Affordable Care Act is delivering lower costs to more seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare.

"Health reform is delivering positive results for Maryland's seniors and people with disabilities, helping to lower health care costs by providing free preventative care and a 50% discount on brand name drugs," stated Congressman Hoyer. "While Republicans have voted several times to end Medicare and raise health care costs for seniors, Democrats have worked hard to strengthen this critical program, and today's report confirms that those efforts are making seniors' health care more affordable and accessible here in Maryland and throughout the nation."

Fifty Percent Discount on Brand-Name Drugs

* 19,350 Maryland seniors in the Medicare Part D "donut hole" coverage gap have already received a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs, as of July 31.
* As a result of this discount, Maryland seniors have saved nearly $10 million in out-of-pocket drug costs this year alone.
* This translates into an average savings of over $510 per senior so far this year.
* To date, Maryland Medicare beneficiaries have claimed this discount on 90,140 prescription drug purchases.

Free Preventive Care Benefit and Free Annual Wellness Visit under Medicare

* 396, 609 Maryland residents enrolled in traditional Medicare (or 58.2 percent of those enrolled in the program) have received one or more free preventive services so far this year, as of August 31.
* 23,992 Maryland residents enrolled in traditional Medicare have taken advantage of the new free Annual Wellness visit.

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