Medicare Part D is the drug portion of Medicare coverage. It is designed to assist with the overwhelming cost of medications, but there is one major flaw in their design – the gap in coverage called the “doughnut hole”. This is when the enrollee is responsible for covering the entire cost for their medications between $2,700 and $4,350. Studies show that one in four Part D enrollees reached the doughnut hole in 2007, and numbers have only increased since then.
What does this mean? Considering seniors are often living on very fixed incomes, these out of pocket expenses are too high, and results in medications being halved to make them last longer, or dosages being skipped altogether. This, of course, can create a very dangerous situation to these individuals, which clearly shows that something needs to be done.
One of the most important changes that can help to relive some of this burden would be a break in the costs of the medications themselves. Turning to the drug manufacturers has proven helpful, as they have agreed to reduce Medicare drug costs in a number of ways. From forgoing $80 billion dollars in revenues to offering substantial discounts in the medications themselves, it seems like the drug companies and Medicare drug coverage is headed in the right direction. We can only hope things continue to improve, and coverage for seniors remains comprehensive.
Tags: doughnut hole, medicare, part d
Medicare drug coverage is NOT headed in the right direction. I see pictures of young ladies who don’t have a clue how unfair this doughnut hole is. Last year I was in the doughnut hole in Oct., this year it was June with no big changes in my medication. Why should there be a gap between $2700 – $4350? So, I pay a copay until I reach the 2700 then I pay FULL PRICE FOR THE SAME MEDICATION! Do you know how much FULL PRICE is? It’s more than it should be. The pharmaceutical companies are ripping off the people who need the meds, who are on social security, and can’t afford to pay full price. Answer me this: WHY DOES CANADA SELL THE SAME DRUGS CHEAPER THAN THE USA? You think that asking the drug companies for help will be provided? Well, unless you are on poverty row, they will NOT give them to you. So, if you are just above the qualification amount, you’re out of luck! So, they throw us crumbs by providing “discounts” with cards. Have you seen how much you really save? NOT MUCH! The system in this country is geared for the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies. They cry how much things cost, but if you look at how much money they make, it’s quite a different story. In fact, the system is CORRUPT! People who have paid into social security, their taxes, and abided by the laws, are suffering as seniors. THIS IS NOT MORALLY CORRECT! You young ladies have parents and you too one day if you live that long, will be on Medicare. Usually, people only understand when it affects THEM. This whole system is a sham.