Table 3.

Sample Size and Annual Prescription Drug Spending before and after Drug Coverage Switch for Medicare Beneficiaries with Calendar-End Changes in Drug Coverage

Sample Size (unweighted)	Year before Switch	Year after Switch	Difference
N
Gainers	60	60	–
Nevers	177	177	–
Average total Rx spending (SE)
Gainers	$664 (125)	$1,101* (194)	+65.8%
Nevers	$547 (47)	$592 (51)	+8.3%
Average out-of-pocket Rx spending (SE)
Gainers	$650** (125)	$506 (77)	−22.1%
Nevers	$547 (47)	$592 (51)	+8.3%

^*p<.05, test is Gainers versus Nevers in year after switch.

^**OOP not equal to total because of rounding of partial quarters to full quarters.

Source: 1995–2000 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.