Average annual deductibles in Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) are roughly four times higher than those in Medicare Advantage drug plans (MA-PDs) ($398 versus $90). Average monthly premiums for PDPs are also roughly 3.5 times higher than in MA-PDPs ($40 versus $11). Similarly, MA-PDP formularies cover a higher share of potentially coverable Part D drugs than PDPs (89 percent compared to 83 percent). At the same time, MA-PDPs impose utilization management requirements (such as prior authorization and quantity limits) on formulary covered drugs at a lower rate, relative to PDPs.
Category: Health Economics & Costs
Saturday Links
- Neil Ferguson’s infamous Imperial College London model predicted lockdowns would avoid 1.7 to 2.1 million COVID deaths. A new study finds the actual reduction in COVID deaths associated with lockdowns was 4,300 to 15,600.
- A positive obituary for Silvio.
- The left hates home schooling.
- Can noise reduce your life expectancy?
- Is most mental illness little more than socially disapproved preferences? Byron Caplan: Yes. Arnold Kling: No.
- The danger in exercising too much.
Update on Britain’s National Health Service
In May over half a million people waited more than 4 hours in A&E. Not much more than a decade ago that number was negligible. Tens of thousands are waiting 12 hours or more. There can be no doubt this is killing many thousands of people. Excess mortality in 2023 is running above the 5 year average, which includes the pandemic years.
Sam Freedman, “How Bad Does It Need to Get? Understanding the NHS Crisis.”
CDC: Flu Season Could be Bad Next Year, or Maybe Not
Remember Covid? Three years ago we were all hunkered down at home sheltering in place. Many businesses were closed, schools cancelled all in-person classes and social gatherings were taboo (if not illegal). Any time you left the house masks were required. It still amuses me seeing cars drive down the street with the driver alone in the car wearing a mask. I recall running errands to Kroger, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes and the few other stores that were open and everyone was wearing masks. Retail establishments also required social distancing, asking people to stand at least six feet apart.