The Doughnut Hole - How are you managing?
by Jenny Moore
(Warren Ohio)
Anyone currently enrolled with Medicare Part D knows what the Doughnut Hole is - or at least thought they knew. However, within the last two months the true reality of this prescription plan is setting in and it's not what most seniors expected.
We are receiving more and more calls for assistance from seniors who have hit the Doughnut Hole. Prescriptions that were averaging $7 per month are now $300 and more per month. There is some assistance available but the assistance varies state by state, is contingent upon the seniors' total social security and retirement income, and does not take in to consideration the costs of living.
We have found the following sites that may be of assistance. We're asking our web site visitors to comment on this topic by sharing your story. Please also share any programs that you found that were of assistance.
What we've found so far:
This free service is a comprehensive calculator. Enter the prescriptions you currently take and it will show you a comparison of all available plans. Very useful!
Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Care Costs
Benefits CheckUP
There are a few discount pharmacies that may carry your prescription. Unfortunately, prescriptions for chronic long-term illnesses such as Alzheimer's Disease, Diabetes, Heart Disease, (and so forth) are not common drugs covered by their plans.
Walmart and their full list of $4 per month prescriptions can be viewed via PDF at $4 Drugs
Target and their full list of $4 per month prescriptions can be viewed at $4 Drugs
CVS Pharmacy offers a prescription discount program. They charge about $10 per year for the program and then a select number of prescriptions can be purchased for $9.99 for a 90 day supply. See Covered Prescriptions for the complete list.
Viewing the prescriptions covered by these programs mentioned so far, may be of assistance to your physician. Your physician may see a drug on this list that he or she might prescribe for you in place of the current prescription.
Programs such as the The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps folks without insurance, without Medicare or Medicaid. Though needed by many, and greatly appreciated, these types of programs will not help a senior that has or is eligible for Medicare and or Medicaid.
Due to the increase of calls here to Senior Approved Services we though it prudent to put this out there. Surely there are other great programs available to help seniors. If you know of a program, simply submit by commenting on this article.
If you are a senior, or a family member trying to help a senior, tell us your story by commenting on this article. Someone may have the answer to your particular situation.
Thank you for sharing! Comments and suggestions have already come in. Be sure to read the comment section below for more resources that might be of help!
