Medicare members from ERC states have saved $5.6 billion on prescription drugs under the ACA; over 8.8 million received free preventive care in 2015

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted into law in 2010, millions of elderly and disabled Medicare beneficiaries in CSG-ERC states have saved billions of dollars on prescription drugs and free preventive care, according to new numbers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The ACA includes increasing discounts for Medicare Part D beneficiaries on their prescription drugs. By 2020, the Part D “donut hole” in coverage will be completely closed. To date, ERC residents covered by Medicare Part D have saved just over $5.6 billion on prescription costs, averaging $1,127 each just last year. The ACA also eliminated copays and deductibles for preventive care in Medicare such as an annual wellness visit and many cancer screenings. Almost 9 million ERC state residents benefitted from that provision just last year.