Medicare ‘doughnut hole’ fix begins this year
The government’s Medicare administrator for Hawaii says participants in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program who fall within the so-called "doughnut hole" will get a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs starting this year.
Regional Administrator David Sayen said the discount applies to people whose total drug costs for the year exceed $2,840 but are less than $4,550.
He said the half-off discount covers almost all brand-name prescription drugs. For generic drugs, the discount is 7 percent.
People with drug coverage through a retiree plan or who have the Part D low-income subsidy aren’t eligible.
Those in the doughnut hole got a one-time check for $250 in 2010.
Sayen said this year’s changes are due to national health care reform.
