Doughnut Hole Expected to Grow
- Date: 2006-11-08 - Word Count: 365
Share This!
A recent report in the USA Today, reported that the gap in the current Medicare coverage commonly referred to as the "doughnut whole" is expected to grow. The gap in coverage that now forces the 37 million people who are enrolled in the Medicare benefits program to pay 2850 dollars of their drug costs out of pocket is expected to increase to over 3000 dollars.
Under the current Medicare D seniors prescription drug costs are covered until the beneficiary spends 2,250 dollars in drug costs. After they reach $2,250 the coverage does not resume until the beneficiary reaches 5,100 dollars in total medical expenses. This would not be such a big deal if seniors were prepared to incur such costs, but most seniors don't realize there is a gap in coverage until they actually reach it.
When asked about the Medicare "doughnut hole" Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island said, "This is outrageous. Many of the people who fall into the donut hole suffer from chronic conditions that require them to take several medications each day. They can't afford the cost of these drugs without Medicare and their health will suffer if they are forced to stop taking needed prescriptions."
To add insult to injury, not only are seniors going to be required to pay 3,051 out of pocket for their prescription medications not covered by the program, but they are also required to continue paying the premium on the policy during this time. The gap in coverage that forces senior citizens to pay the entire amount for their prescription medication has led to record profits by pharmaceutical companies.
This has left many cities and states to search for alternative sources of medication to provide their seniors with more affordable during this gap of Medicare coverage. Many cities and states have implemented programs that purchase low cost prescription medication from Canada. These plans have saved seniors thousands of dollars and are a great way to acquire quality, discount medication. If you would like to take advantage of the savings that many cities and states have already begun to use, visit the consumer advocacy website, ePharmacies.com. Click here for more information on ordering from a discount online pharmacy.
Under the current Medicare D seniors prescription drug costs are covered until the beneficiary spends 2,250 dollars in drug costs. After they reach $2,250 the coverage does not resume until the beneficiary reaches 5,100 dollars in total medical expenses. This would not be such a big deal if seniors were prepared to incur such costs, but most seniors don't realize there is a gap in coverage until they actually reach it.
When asked about the Medicare "doughnut hole" Senator Jack Reed from Rhode Island said, "This is outrageous. Many of the people who fall into the donut hole suffer from chronic conditions that require them to take several medications each day. They can't afford the cost of these drugs without Medicare and their health will suffer if they are forced to stop taking needed prescriptions."
To add insult to injury, not only are seniors going to be required to pay 3,051 out of pocket for their prescription medications not covered by the program, but they are also required to continue paying the premium on the policy during this time. The gap in coverage that forces senior citizens to pay the entire amount for their prescription medication has led to record profits by pharmaceutical companies.
This has left many cities and states to search for alternative sources of medication to provide their seniors with more affordable during this gap of Medicare coverage. Many cities and states have implemented programs that purchase low cost prescription medication from Canada. These plans have saved seniors thousands of dollars and are a great way to acquire quality, discount medication. If you would like to take advantage of the savings that many cities and states have already begun to use, visit the consumer advocacy website, ePharmacies.com. Click here for more information on ordering from a discount online pharmacy.
Joshua Daly is the author of many health related articles as well as the President of ePharmacies.com. Joshua's goal is to help consumers save money and make better informed decisions. For more related articles on health and the pharmaceutical industry, visit our blog: Insider Guide to Online Prescriptions.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Current Affairs Articles - Obama on Ground Zero Mosque: Rights for Muslims, Tough Luck for Americans
Only a few short months after snubbing the National Day of Prayer President Obama continued his war - Spiritual Articles - After Armageddon
When we look back through the smoke filled skies of a nuclear winter where all is gone except the fe - Current Affairs Articles - America and the Doctrine of the Last Chance
The History Channel cooks up a nice pot of Nostradamus and eschatological soup with their multi epis - Video Games Articles - A better way to get the most value for your used games.
As players, we usually trade-in our used games in store (Gamestop/EB) and buy used ones from them. - Business Articles - Know About Different Benefits of Sharepoint Administration
Share-point is a platform where people can work together very easily. By using sharepoint administra - Current Affairs Articles - Obama Courts Latino Votes at Arizona's Expense
Every time the President speaks, makes another appointment or ramrods a new bill through the democra - Spiritual Articles - Are You Religious Bigot? Take the Quiz!
This quiz is for fun, and although some of the questions will make you stop and think, please don't - Import - Export Articles - How to get Windows XP driver updates-5
Getting driver updates for an individual's laptop or computer with Windows XP operating system const - World News Articles - HGH Facts - Health benefits and also Side Effects for HGH
Human growth hormone is really a normal occurring hormone that's made within the body which controls - World News Articles - Finding A Thinning Hair Treatment That Works
Trying to acquisition a abrasion beard analysis that re-grows new affection beard is appropriate up
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Human Globalization
Activity in the sense, the central component of globe, we humans have been showing activeness bo - Writing Abilities Development
It has been proved that writing abilities can be developed together with inspiration. A thought - Snowboarding Tricks 101
I like the floating feeling you get on quarterpipes, it feels like you're hanging in the air and you - Russian Expansion To The Middle East
The period of the Cold War created an excellent opportunity to expand Soviet Union influence. On - Girl Tattoos Tell You Lots About The Girl
How often, when admiring girl tattoos have you said - It suits you? It happens a lot with girls - How to support charities In your Local Area By Getting Involved
Charities are created to help people find ways of dealing with situations that can't be solved i - Christian Sex - 7 Barriers to Fulfilling Married Sexuality
Many Christian married couples have yet to experience a fulfilling sexuality. Yet, it is an essent - Tales of New York
A Bronx Tale deals with bringing up children in a big city, dangers of gangster life, and stereo - Universal Civilization
Early civilizations of the world were divided and isolated by geographical locations and boundar - Utopia By Thomas More
More is a forerunner of communism before Marx decided to toss the idea around in the 1830s. More