March 2010: All the delays in passing the health care reform bill will also delay positive changes to Part D coverage. Seniors were supposed to get relief this year, but it appears that people who fall into the doughnut hole in 2010 will only get a $250 rebate. Changes that were supposed to take effect in 2010 have been moved to 2011.
In 2011, the threshold for going into the donut hole will be raised by $500 and seniors who go into the donut hole will get a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs. By 2020, the doughnut hole will be closed and 75 percent of drug costs will be covered.
It’s too bad about the delay because seniors who have been told all the terrible things that will happen as a result of the health care bill would have appreciated the savings this year. The Medicare Advantage company representatives tell us that about 10% of seniors go into the donut hole.