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Seniors face Medicare cost barrier for cancer meds
Posted: Jun 13, 2011 9:42 AM by Matt Stafford
Updated: Jun 13, 2011 9:43 AM
WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers say seniors with Medicare prescription drug coverage are facing steep co pays for the newest kind of cancer drugs.
Unlike older drugs, the medications come as pills and do not have to be administered at a clinic.
But a recent study finds that about 1 in 6 people with Medicare aren't filling their prescriptions.
Forty-six percent of Medicare beneficiaries faced co-payments of more than $500.
Rita Moore of Corcoran, Calif. is one of those beneficiaries. She needed a drug called Sutent for kidney cancer, but the pharmacy was going to charge her $2,400 for a month's supply, more than her income.
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