Conversely, of the 29% that are offering coverage during the donut hole, most will be covering only generics.  This will be a hurdle for beneficiaries who are dependent upon a drug or drugs with no generic counterpart.  The old saying “Caveat Emptor” (buyer beware) is as true here as anywhere.  The Wall Street Journal advises, “The drug benefit landscape is changing enough that even enrollees who are content may want to review how their plan stacks up against new offerings.”    They went on to say, “Medicare beneficiaries who do not switch prescription drug plans might experience changes in their plan premiums, co-payments or formularies” (Wall Street Journal 9/30/06).

To sum up the changes for 2007, there are more products, lower premiums, and more donut hole coverage available, but plans are changing.  Check out your plan, make note of any changes in the formulary (drug list) that may affect you and be sure that your plan will serve you as well in 2007 as it has in 2006.