Medicare prescription drug premiums to rise in 2009

The average monthly premium for Medicare's prescription drug plan will increase to an estimated $28 in 2009, an increase of three dollars when compared to this year's monthly premium, Medicare officials have announced. In a related development, Medicare officials also announced that 10 doctors-group practices participating in Medicare's Physician Group Practice Demonstration project showed improved quality of care for patients with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and diabetes. Due to the improvements, the groups involved in the project are being paid $16.7 million in incentives designed to reward healthcare providers for improving results and coordinating the healthcare needs of Medicare patients.