Senior News Line
Doughnut hole-or black hole?
By MATILDA CHARLES

That certainly didn't take long. All across the country, seniors who signed up for Medicare Part D are reaching the doughnut hole. That's the point in the prescription coverage where Medicare temporarily stops paying.

The way it works is this: Medicare pays 75 percent of the first $2,250 of drugs you need. Then it stops. You're 100 percent responsible for the cost of your prescriptions until you hit the $5,100 mark. Then Medicare starts up again, picking up 95 percent of your costs.

That leaves $2,850 for you to pay by yourself.

Actually, it's closer to $3,600 of the first $5,100 when you calculate in the deductible and co-payments. With premiums, that brings your total out-of-pocket costs to around $4,000 before Medicare kicks in again with drug coverage.

And guess what? You get to start all over again in January 2007 with new calculations.

For many seniors (approximately onequarter of those who receive Medicare) that hole in the coverage can be devastating. Only if we're truly destitute is there additional help.

Here are some ideas:

+ Ask your doctor to prescribe generics, if they exist for the drugs you're taking.

+ Look for a plan that will give you some coverage during the doughnut hole period. You'll pay more for it, of course.

+ Call your state senators' offices. Some states are putting together programs and offering reduced-price drugs.

+ Ask your doctor for samples of the drugs.

Think twice before getting your drugs from Canada, though. The amount you pay won't qualify as part of the money you must spend before you reach the $5,100 mark.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them in her column whenever possible. Do not send any material requiring return mail. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.