Medicare Part D premiums to stay flat next year

Participants in Medicare Part D should see no increase in premium costs next year, CMS officials have announced (Source: "No increase in Medicare drug costs for seniors," Reuters, Aug. 6, 2012).

The Department of Health and Human Service forecast a $30 average monthly premium for Medicare Part D, similar to the cost in 2012. In 2011, premiums were $30.76.

HHS attributed the low premiums to the Affordable Care Act, which includes some measures to lower the cost of medications for seniors. Last year, HHS also attributed the low premiums to increased competition and greater use of cheaper generic drugs.