Enrollees' Perceptions of Medicare Part D: Three Months and Counting

Although the new Medicare prescription drug benefit is just four months old, results from this Spring 2006 AARP survey of age 65+ enrollees suggest that they are already reaping financial benefits from enrolling. The majority believe the premiums, benefits and costs of the program to be about the same or better than the coverage they previously had, and many are recognizing at least some cost savings from enrolling.

Survey respondents were also asked if they thought they would have had to give up something if this prescription drug benefit had not been added to Medicare – and if so, what. Cutting back on groceries, medications and savings, looking for less expensive housing and curtailing visits to restaurants were among the anticipated sacrifices cited by enrollees.

The telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,514 persons was conducted by International Communications Research from March 9th through April 3rd. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting the report's author, Teresa A. Keenan of AARP Knowledge Management, at 202-434-6274. (9 pages)