Third Round of $250 Checks for Medicare Prescription
Drug Cost Relief in the Mail
More than 750,000 have already received checks for
falling into Medicare Part D donut hole
Aug. 12, 2010 - The third round of one-time,
tax-free $250 rebate checks have been mailed to eligible Medicare
beneficiaries whose drug costs are so high they have reached the
Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut
hole.” Experts estimate that more than a quarter of Part D enrollees hit
the donut hole and often stop following their drug regimen as a result
of the added cost burden.
The $250 rebates will go a long way in preventing
seniors from having to make such difficult and almost certainly harmful
health decisions.
Across the country, more than 750,000 Medicare
beneficiaries have already received checks this year, and more
beneficiaries will be receiving checks in the coming months as they
enter the coverage gap, according to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
“High prescription drugs costs are a problem for
many seniors and other Medicare enrollees with limited incomes,” said
Secretary Sebelius.
“These checks are an important first step in
helping them afford the medications they need – and are evidence of how
Americans are already seeing the very real benefits of the Affordable
Care Act. From strengthening the long-term future of Medicare as
evidenced by the recent Medicare Trustees report, to saving seniors and
the disabled money on everything from prescription drug costs to
preventive services, the Affordable Care Act is helping to preserve and
protect Medicare.”
The rebate checks will partly close the donut hole
this year, with the $250 one-time checks for beneficiaries who enter the
gap. In 2011, the Affordable Care Act takes an additional step for
Medicare beneficiaries in the donut hole by providing them with a 50
percent discount on their brand name medications. Every year from 2011
to 2020, the Affordable Care Act will take progressive steps to close
the donut hole.
In addition to savings on prescription drugs, the
new law takes a series of steps to strengthen Medicare. Under the
Affordable Care Act:
● Medicare beneficiaries will receive free
preventive care services like mammograms and certain colon cancer tests
and a free annual physical starting in 2011;
● By 2018, seniors can expect to save on average
almost $200 per year in premiums compared to what they would have paid
without the new law, and most beneficiaries will also see a significant
reduction in their Medicare coinsurance as a result of the Affordable
Care Act; and
● The life of the Medicare Trust Fund is extended
by 12 years.
“These checks represent just one way that Medicare
is going to work better for seniors and persons with disabilities under
the Affordable Care Act,” said Don Berwick, administrator for the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “Seniors will see lower
prescription drug costs when they are in the donut hole, access to
preventive services and annual wellness visits without cost-sharing, and
higher quality care. And our efforts to crack down on fraud and waste
are making beneficiaries safer and Medicare stronger financially, adding
years to the Medicare trust funds.”
“Often, seniors reach the donut hole because they
are on costly medications to help them manage chronic conditions such as
high blood pressure or diabetes,” said Kathy Greenlee, assistant
secretary for aging. “These checks will help America’s seniors afford
the medications they need to manage those illnesses, keeping them
healthy and improving their quality of life.”
Medicare beneficiaries who do not already receive
Medicare’s Extra Help receive these checks automatically in the mail
when they reach the donut hole; there is no requirement to sign up.
Seniors should never give out personal information to anyone who is not
a trusted source.
Seniors are encouraged to contact 1-800-MEDICARE to
report any solicitations of personal information, or go to
www.stopmedicarefraud.gov to learn about how the Affordable Care Act
helps to protect seniors from scams and safeguard taxpayer dollars.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Aug. 12, 2010 - The third round of one-time,
tax-free $250 rebate checks have been mailed to eligible Medicare
beneficiaries whose drug costs are so high they have reached the
Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut
hole.” Experts estimate that more than a quarter of Part D enrollees hit
the donut hole and often stop following their drug regimen as a result
of the added cost burden. 
Seniors don't need to give personal info to anyone,
checks being mailed automatically to eligible Medicare recipients