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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 24, 2005 Since You Asked: Medicare drug plan ‘gap’ needs explaining Are there any Medicare prescription drug policies that do NOT have the "gap?" That is the most idiotic thing about this new government program. — Mary A., Ashland You do know how to ask the tough questions, don’t you, Mary? Politics aside, nearly everyone agrees that the Medicare prescription drug benefit is one of the most complicated, confusing government programs to come down the pike in a long time. As you and millions of other people are discovering, choosing the right plan isn’t always easy. The gap in the coverage (also known as the "hole" in the donut, among other things) may be the most confusing/frustrating/misunderstood part of the program. Advertisement In a nutshell it works like this. Seniors pay a monthly insurance premium and pay out of pocket for the first $250 of their medicines (unless they choose a plan that eliminates the $250). Medicare picks up 75 percent of the next $2,000 in drug bills. Seniors have to pay the next $2,850 (the gap) out of pocket before Medicare starts paying again, at 95 percent of total cost. Essentially, this means you pay $750 (plus your monthly premium) for the first $2,250 of drugs and the next $2,850 out of pocket (the "gap") unless you have a program that covers the gap. After you’ve spent about $3,600, the government picks up 95 percent of your drug bill. Some insurance plans do cover the gap, but you’ll have to pay a hefty monthly premium (around $50) to enroll, says Dick Heintz, a volunteer with the local Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance office. There are other variables to consider, too, Heintz says. Some plans, for example, cover only generic drugs. You can go to the Medicare Web site ( www.medicare.gov ) to work your way through this for yourself. Before you start, make sure you have a list of all your medications and the dosages you take, and the name and location of the pharmacy you use. Not every drug plan is available at every pharmacy. Good hunting, Mary! Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked: Medicare drug plan �gap� needs explaining ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s