Long-Term Care

Democrat promises to fix doughnut hole

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, December 17, 2009

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada recently pledged to close the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, known as the doughnut hole, which currently affects about three million seniors’ ability to pay for needed medication, according to CBS News.

Medicare Part D beneficiaries receive prescription drug coverage up to $2,700 per year. They must pay for their own medications exceeding that annual amount until their expenses reach $6,154, when coverage kicks back in. The nearly $3,500 gap leaves many older Americans unable to fill their prescriptions. The House healthcare bill eliminated that difference, but the Senate bill currently on the floor only reduces it.

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