Van Hollen Announces Medicare "Donut Hole" Checks Begin Today

Press Release

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen announced that starting today, as part of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare will begin mailing out $250 checks to tens of thousands of seniors across the country who have fallen in the prescription drug "donut hole." These one-time tax-free rebate checks will continue to be mailed monthly over the next several months as seniors enter the coverage gap.

"For millions of seniors, especially those who live on a fixed income, falling into the "donut hole' means a financial crisis. It increases the already high costs of prescription drugs by thousands of dollars each year, and too often forces seniors to choose between lifesaving medications and basic necessities like food or heat. Last year, over 63,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Maryland fell in the donut hole and received no help to defray the cost of their prescription drugs -- a hole that Congressional Republicans created back in 2003 as part of the almost $400 billion unpaid-for prescription drug plan. Now, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, help is on the way and seniors will no longer have to make those difficult choices," said Congressman Van Hollen.

Making prescription drugs more affordable for seniors is only one of the many benefits for seniors included in the recently enacted health reform law. The Affordable Care Act also:
* Provides free preventive care services under Medicare, beginning in 2011.
* Strengthens Medicare by extending its solvency by an additional 12 years, from 2017 to 2029.
* Improves seniors' access to doctors.
* Continues to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.
* Improves care by helping doctors communicate and coordinate.
* Expands home and community-based services to keep seniors in their homes, instead of in nursing homes.

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