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Lewis and Clark County, MT
Highlighting Helena
Change City

NEW AARP Report: Impact of Historic Medicare Rx Out-of-Pocket Spending Cap on Montana Seniors

Posted on 08/28/24 by Stacia Dahl

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Savings Possible Thanks to the Prescription Drug Law Championed by AARP

Helena, Mont., Aug. 28, 2024 — Today, AARP released a report that shows an estimated 7,383 Montanans on Medicare prescription drug plans will see savings thanks to a new out-of-pocket cap that starts January 1, 2025. The savings are made possible by a provision in the 2022 prescription drug law that AARP championed which caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs every year, beginning at $2,000 next year, for America’s 56 million Medicare drug plan enrollees.

The AARP report analyzes the number of enrollees who will benefit from the cap by state, age, gender, and race between 2025 and 2029. The findings indicate that Medicare drug plan enrollees nationwide who reach the new out-of-pocket cap will see average savings of roughly $1,500, or 56%, in 2025 for their prescription drugs. 

“AARP fought hard for the prescription drug law of 2022 because we knew it would provide crucial relief for Medicare enrollees here in Montana and across the country by lowering drug prices and out-of-pocket costs,” said Tim Summers, State Director of AARP Montana, which serves approximately 134,000 members age 50 and older in the state. “Knowing they won’t pay a dime over $2,000 next year – maximum – for prescription drugs they get at the pharmacy gives Montana seniors on Medicare drug plans some peace of mind as they struggle to keep up with rising costs for other everyday essentials like housing, groceries and utilities.” 

Other findings from the report include: 

  • Between 3 and 4 million Part D plan enrollees nationwide are estimated to benefit from the new out-of-pocket cap every year between 2025 and 2029.
  • Here in Montana by 2029, more than 10,000 Part D plan enrollees statewide are estimated to benefit from the new out-of-pocket cap.
  • By 2029, the share of enrollees benefiting from the new out-of-pocket cap is estimated to be 10 percent or higher in 19 states, including 6.1% in Montana.
  • More than three-quarters of Medicare drug plan enrollees who will benefit in 2025 are between the ages of 65 and 84. 

“Limiting how much seniors on Medicare drug plans pay for prescription drugs every year builds on other new and important cost-saving measures, such as capping insulin co-pays at $35 a month and making many vaccines, such as shingles and pneumonia, free,” said Summers. 

To learn more about AARP’s work to lower prescription drug prices, visit How High Rx Prices Hurt.

Also of Interest
Who the New Medicare Part D Spending Cap Will Help

# # #

About AARP: AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.
 

About AARP Montana:  For over 50 years, AARP has been working right here in big sky country to improve the lives of Montanans 50 plus. As one of Montana’s largest non-profit membership organizations, with more than 134,000 members, we advocate for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. We’re committed to helping already great communities across Montana become even better places for people of all ages to live and thrive by granting funds through our Community Challenge Grant Program. We fund small dollar, big impact projects in several categories, including transportation, safe streets, housing and public parks and trails.

We also connect Montanans with information and resources as well as help people connect with others who share their interests and passions – like music! As a main sponsor of the Helena Symphony’s Masterworks Series, we’re proud to help bring quality concerts to the community. By fighting on issues that matter most to Montana families and providing trusted information, we’re helping empower Montanans to choose how they live as they age. As a nonpartisan organization, AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political action committees, campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/MT or follow @AARPMontana on social media.

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This story is provided by AARP Montana. Visit the AARP Montana page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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