The Doughnut Hole Toolkit is designed for you to help others find out if they are at risk of falling into the Medicare Part D coverage gap and therefore pay much of the cost of their prescription drugs. The tool generates options for people to discuss with their doctor to avoid unnecessary expense. Your involvement will make a difference.
The Problem
Medicare Part D, which helps seniors pay for prescription medications, limits prescription drug assistance when an individual’s yearly drug costs surpass a certain level ($2,930 in 2012). Medicare Part D assistance starts again when the person’s drug costs reach another amount ($4,700 in 2012). The gap between those two amounts is the “doughnut hole” or coverage gap. Starting in 2012, seniors who are in the coverage gap will get a 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 14% discount on generic prescription drugs. Someone you know may fall into this coverage gap.
About 3 million people — one fourth of Medicare Part D enrollees who have filled any prescription — fall into the doughnut hole coverage gap each year.
The Solution
You can use AARP’s Doughnut Hole Calculator to help determine if a friend or loved one is at risk of falling into the doughnut hole and whether he or she can save money on medications. The calculator is a free online tool that does the math while preserving the user’s privacy. The calculator will offer suggestions for reducing their prescription drug costs so they can postpone hitting the gap or even avoid it entirely.
Time Commitment
30 minutes or less.
Special Considerations
None.
Who can do this?
Everyone who knows someone who is enrolled in Medicare Part D.
Great Reasons to do this Project
Help a friend or loved one save money on prescription drugs and avoid or postpone the Part D coverage gap.
