<nobr>Jan 24, 2006</nobr>

2.6 Million More Enroll in Stand-Alone Part D Coverage

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt announced, January 19, that nearly 24 million seniors and people with disabilities now have prescription drug coverage. More than 2.6 million Medicare beneficiaries signed up for the new stand-alone coverage in the last 30 days in addition to the 1 million who enrolled in stand-alone plans in the first 30 days of the initial enrollment period, which began November 15, 2005. According to HHS, enrollments are on track to reach their goal of 28 to 30 million enrollees in the first year.

About 6.4 million retirees are in employer coverage that is subsidized by the Medicare retiree drug subsidy. Additionally, about 1 million retirees are in employer coverage that incorporates or supplements Medicare prescription drug coverage. Another estimated 500,000 retirees are continuing in coverage that is as good as Medicare's.

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HHS Release

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