CORAM — Today, Congressman Tim Bishop announced that 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received $250 checks for prescription drug cost relief through the Affordable Care Act. The one-time, tax-free rebates are the first step in permanently closing the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, known as the “donut hole,” for seniors and disabled Americans.
“This is a down payment on the promise to eliminate the donut hole,” Congressman Bishop said. “I have had longstanding concerns with the fact that seniors continue to pay for Part D coverage without collecting benefits. For Long Island seniors who are fighting to make ends meet, this $250 goes a long way.”
Bishop strongly supports efforts to protect America’s most vulnerable citizens as the economy recovers, including the “Seniors Protection Act,” (H.R. 5987) which would provide $250 in relief to retirees and other Social Security beneficiaries if in October it is determined there will be no cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2011.
He is also a cosponsor of the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4752), which would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to directly negotiate drug prices with manufacturers on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
This year, Medicare expects to distribute 4 million checks, which are sent automatically to beneficiaries once they reach the donut hole. Seniors don’t have to sign up to be eligible for the rebates, and are encouraged to contact 1-800-MEDICARE, or go to www.stopmedicarefraud.gov, to report any solicitations of personal information from third parties.
Next year, ‘donut hole’ seniors will receive a 50 percent discount on covered brand name medications. Every year, the amount Medicare beneficiaries pay in cost sharing in the ‘donut hole’ will decrease markedly until the coverage gap is closed completely in 2020.
In addition to savings on prescription drugs, Medicare recipients will soon receive other new benefits. Starting on January 1, Medicare beneficiaries will receive free preventive care services like mammograms and certain colon cancer tests and a free annual physical.