Medicare board predicts a slowdown in Part D spending increases

An annual report published Tuesday by the Medicare Board of Trustees showed that spending on Part D drugs for 2017 came in slightly above projections, but predicted a marginally lower annual percent increase than previously predicted in spending over five years for Part D.

Actual Part D drug expenditures in 2017 were $100 billion; last year the board predicted that number would be $99.2 billion. The report says the underestimation was partly because actual 2016 drug manufacturer rebates were slightly lower than plans had estimated in their bid submissions...