Medicare Part D: More Seniors Falling Into the Donut Hole

The "silent crisis" of Medicare 'Part D' continues. Week by week, more senior citizens tumble into the "donut hole," and as they do insurance companies force them to cover the full cost of their essential medications -- whether they can afford the suddenly higher cost or not.

The impact? This could hurt millions:

In coming months, millions of older Americans and people with disabilities will face a lapse in coverage known as the "doughnut hole" once their annual drug spending hits $2,250. At that point, Medicare drug plans stop paying for medications and require members to absorb another $3,600 in out-of-pocket costs before coverage resumes. And even while the plans aren't paying for their drugs, participants must continue to pay their monthly premiums.

Of the 11.8 million Medicare enrollees whose plans include a coverage gap, the Kaiser Family Foundation had estimated that 6.9 million of them could hit the doughnut hole, but a staff researcher said that number probably would be higher because of higher-than-expected enrollment.

Don't wait to fall into the donut hole yourself. Learn what you can do to demand solutions to the Part D crisis today.

Posted by Americans United For Change Web Team