Policy Paper Examines Medicare Part D Coverage Gap
"Explaining Medicare Part D's 'Split Deductible' Design: Dispelling the Myths of the 'Doughnut Hole,'" Republican Policy Committee: The policy paper examines the design of the Medicare prescription drug plan and discusses the impact the so-called "doughnut hole" coverage gap -- during which beneficiaries are responsible for 100% of total prescription drug costs between $2,250 and $5,100 -- will have on seniors. The paper provides an analysis of the 2006 costs for beneficiaries enrolled in the drug plans and cites a PriceWaterhouseCooper study finding that approximately 3.5 million beneficiaries, or 15%, will reach the coverage gap this year. According to the paper, the number of seniors reaching the coverage gap in future years likely will decline as drug plan information and options improve and seniors are better able to understand plan benefits (Republican Policy Committee, 9/21).
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