Long-Term Care

Seniors trapped in Medicare Part D doughnut hole

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, October 2, 2006

Before 2007, six million Medicare Part D enrollees will enter the drug plan's nearly $3,000 coverage gap, or doughnut hole, stated a Wolters Kluwer Health press release. Under the Medicare Part D plan, recipients pay for the first $250 of their medications. From there, Part D covers 75% of their medication costs, which cap at $2,250. After that, the enrollee must pay out of pocket until the costs reach $5,100 and coverage picks up again, the release stated. To cut costs, seniors facing the coverage gap are dropping beneficial prescriptions rather than choosing the generic version. Many seniors are unaware that Medicare Part D-for a higher premium-offers alternative options to provide coverage during the gap, the release stated.

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