WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- UnitedHealth Group, Humana and WellPoint have captured 52 percent of the Medicare Part D market, new Bush administration data say.
In addition, of the 80 companies competing in the Part D market, the top 10 companies have 80 percent of the total, the New York Times reported.
UnitedHealth has been able to capitalize on its relationship with the AARP, while Humana, with plans that cost $2 per month in many markets, has used low prices to gain market share, the newspaper said.
About 13.9 million of the 42 million Medicare beneficiaries are now in prescription drug plans. UnitedHealth has 3.8 million subscribers, or 27 percent of the total. Humana has 2.4 million, or 18 percent, and WellPoint has 1 million, or 7 percent.
Medicare beneficiaries that do not qualify for a low-income subsidy must choose a plan by May 15 or wait until November to become part of the benefit.
UnitedHealth also has the largest share of the MedicareAdvantage managed care market, with 1.2 million members, or 20 percent of that market.
