Beneficiaries in 'Donut Hole' Get Drug Discount in 2011 A 50% discount on brand name prescription drugs will be given next year to beneficiaries who are in the Part D "donut hole" coverage gap, the U.S. Black Patients Less Likely to Get End of Life Care Obama to Appeal Stem Cell Ruling Health Tip.

This year, the donut hole begins when a beneficiary's prescription drug costs reach $2,830. So far, more than 1.2 million beneficiaries have received rebate checks and millions more are scheduled to receive a check, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Irma Sebelius. Sign Up for MedicineNet Newsletters. This year, beneficiaries who hit the donut hole received $250 rebate checks as part of the new health care law. While in the gap, they have to pay 100% of the cost of their prescription drugs and must spend $3,610 out of their own pockets before they qualify for catastrophic coverage.

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