Thousands Lose Medicare Drug Plans Over $8 Premium Gaps, Locking Many Out Until 2027

3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jul 6

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries lost prescription drug coverage after falling behind on premiums by as little as $8, leaving many unable to re-enroll until 2027.
Zero-dollar plans had quietly become paid plans, and beneficiaries who did not realize they now owed monthly premiums missed payments that triggered disenrollment.
The losses hit people who thought they still had no-premium coverage, turning small delinquencies into a year-plus gap in drug benefits.
The episode highlights how minor premium changes in Medicare drug plans can cause major coverage disruptions when enrollees are not clearly alerted.

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