More Medicare Part D Checks In The Mail

The Department of Health and Human Services has mailed out a third round of $250 checks to help seniors who enter the Medicare Part D coverage pay gap for prescription drugs, WCAX [in Vermont] reports. "The one-time payment aims to close a gap in coverage for prescription medication. The rebates will go to about 9,000 Vermonters whose out-of-pocket expenses already total more than $940 for the year" (8/11).

The Associated Press/NJ.com adds, "The Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap begins once total drug expenses reach $2,510 and ends at $5,726. Recipients must cover all of their prescription costs in between." The gap is colloquially known as the "doughnut hole" (8/10).

"The rebates are part of the federal health care overhaul passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in March," The Associated Press/Chicago Tribune reports separately. "The department says there's no need for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for the rebate once they reach the 'donut hole' because the checks will go out automatically unless beneficiaries already qualify for the Extra Help program for low-income seniors" (8/11).