Study: Mixed bag on Pa. Medicare drug plan savings

JOANN LOVIGLIO Associated Press Writer PHILADELPHIA

Seniors enrolled in Medicare's prescription drug program are spending more at the pharmacy with the government's assistance as expected, but that doesn't always mean less spending on pricier hospital stays and doctor visits, a Pennsylvania study has found. For seniors who had no drug coverage or poor coverage before the Medicare drug benefit started in 2006, there was an overall rise in the number of prescriptions filled and a drop in hospitalizations and doctor visits. But those who already had adequate coverage spent more on both prescripti...