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BENEFICIARIES LACKING DRUG COVERAGE
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At least 13 million or 34 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have no insurance coverage for prescription
drugs. These beneficiaries pay retail prices for prescription drugs, which can often be significantly more
expensive than what large firms or public programs pay for the same drugs.
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More than half of Medicare beneficiaries without drug coverage are middle class. Over 50 percent of
Medicare beneficiaries without drug coverage have incomes in excess of 150 percent -- an annual income of
approximately $17,000 for couples. This indicates that targeting a drug benefit only to the low-income cannot
address even half of the problem.
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The income distribution of beneficiaries lacking drug coverage closely parallels that of all beneficiaries.
This lack of difference suggests that everyone is at risk of losing their health insurance.
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