WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, seniors will begin receiving financial relief to help pay for the cost of prescription drugs as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) delivers the first round of $250 rebate checks to those who fall within the Medicare prescription “donut hole." These checks are shipping out to seniors three weeks earlier than originally planned. Additional checks will be sent out each month, with an estimated 4 million seniors benefiting from the rebate checks this year.
“The checks being sent today not only put money back into seniors’ pockets, but provide peace of mind for many seniors who are struggling financially in this tough economic climate" said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI). “Closing the ‘donut hole’ is just one of many substantial provisions enacted under health care reform delivering tangible benefits to Americans by making coverage more affordable."
The checks, provided under the Affordable Care Act, are the first step in completely closing the prescription drug coverage gap that has affected millions of seniors. Beginning in 2011, seniors in the “donut hole" will receive a 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs, and the “donut hole" should be completely phased out by 2020.
