Medicare Part D associated with reduction in nondrug medical spending
Among elderly Medicare beneficiaries with limited prior drug coverage, implementation of Medicare Part D was associated with significant reductions in nondrug medical spending, such as for inpatient and skilled nursing facility care, according to a study in the July 27 issue of JAMA.

Medicare drug plan cuts hospital costs - Wed, 27 Jul 2011 PST
CHICAGO A new study suggests that Medicare s 5-year-old prescription drug plan is keeping seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes, saving the federal program an estimated $12 billion a year in those costs. The savings only offset a portion of the $55 billion a year the government spends on Medicare Part D, as the drug plan is known. But the study s authors say it means seniors are staying ...