According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, more seniors and disabled Americans on Medicare are experiencing lower costs through discounts on brand-name drugs in the Medicare Part D coverage gap as well as free preventive care.

"Today's news confirms that the Affordable Care Act is saving money for millions of seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicare," says CMS Administrator Donald M. Berwick, M.D. "These new benefits are encouraging patients to talk to their doctors about their care, and to get the preventive services they need."

In 2011, more than 18.9 million people who participate in traditional Medicare have used preventive services at no cost, and approximately 1.3 million people were given a 50 percent discount for brand-name prescription drugs once they hit the coverage gap, for a savings total of $660 million.