[20031229]RS21583_医疗保险处方药计划：精算价值比较.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21583Updated December 29, 2003Medicare Prescription Drug Plans:Comparison of Actuarial ValuesChris L. PetersonAnalyst in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryOn December 8, 2003, the “Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of2003 was signed into law (H.R. 1, P.L. 108-173). The law adds Part D to Medicare,which establishes a new prescription drug benefit that begins in 2006. This reportcompares the actuarial values of the prescription drug benefit under the laws standardcoverage and the coverage available to certain low-income beneficiaries. The actuarialvalues of private drug coverage presently available to seniors were also estimated. Theactuarial values of the Part D coverage for low-income beneficiaries were greater thanall of the private plans that were modeled. The actuarial value of the prescription drugbenefit in the Part D standard coverage was greater than the prescription drug benefit inthe individually purchased Medigap supplemental plans but was less than the typicalprescription drug benefit in employment-based coverage and i