What is meant by the donut hole in Medicare Part D?

Asked by: Diego Swaniawski  |  Last update: October 8, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (25 votes)

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the "donut hole"). This means there's a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs. Not everyone will enter the coverage gap. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs.

What is the Medicare Part D donut hole for 2023?

If the combined amount you and your drug plan pay for prescription drugs reaches a certain level during the year—that limit is $4,660 in 2023—you enter the Part D coverage gap.

Can I avoid the donut hole?

If you have limited income and resources, you may want to see if you qualify to receive Medicare's Extra Help/Part D Low-Income Subsidy. People with Extra Help see significant savings on their drug plans and medications at the pharmacy, and do not fall into the donut hole. See if you qualify and apply today.

How do you get out of Medicare donut hole?

How do I get out of the donut hole?
  1. Your deductible.
  2. What you paid during the initial coverage period.
  3. Almost the full cost of brand-name drugs (including the manufacturer's discount) purchased during the coverage gap.
  4. Amounts paid by others, including family members, most charities, and other persons on your behalf.

How long do you stay in the donut hole with Medicare?

When does the Medicare Donut Hole End? The donut hole ends when you reach the catastrophic coverage limit for the year. In 2023, the donut hole will end when you and your plan reach $7,400 out-of-pocket in one calendar year.

Medicare Donut Hole Explained Simply

39 related questions found

Is there Medicare Part D without donut hole?

The donut hole finally closed for good in 2020, having been phased out in 2019 for brand-name drugs and then in 2020 for generic drugs.

How do I find out if I am in the donut hole?

Once you and your Medicare Part D plan have spent a certain amount on covered prescription drugs during a calendar year ($4,660 in 2023), you reach the coverage gap and are considered in the “donut hole.” Not everyone will enter the “donut hole,” and people with Medicare who also have Extra Help will never enter it.

Can I use GoodRx if I'm in the donut hole?

GoodRx can't be used in combination with Medicare, but it can be used in place of Medicare. You may want to consider using GoodRx instead of Medicare when Medicare doesn't cover your medication, when you won't reach your annual deductible, or when you're in the coverage gap phase (“donut hole”) of your Medicare plan.

What happens when you hit the donut hole?

Most plans with Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) have a coverage gap (called a "donut hole"). This means that after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your prescriptions up to a yearly limit.

What happens after the donut hole?

If you enter the Donut Hole, you may have to pay a higher price for your medications until the next January 1, or until your out-of-pocket costs qualify you for another level of insurance called Catastrophic Coverage.

What will the Medicare donut hole be in 2024?

In 2024, costs in the catastrophic phase will change: the 5% coinsurance requirement for Part D enrollees will be eliminated and Part D plans will pay 20% of total drug costs in this phase instead of 15%.

Does SilverScript have a donut hole?

SilverScript is the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for members of the State Employee Health Plan. They offer two plans, Premium and Economy. The Premier Plan has a $0 deductible. It has 5 Tiers and offers coverage through the Gap (Donut-Hole) on all tiers.

Does the donut hole reset every year?

Does the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap restart every year on January 1st or do we stay in the Gap from the previous year? Your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage starts again each year — and along with your new coverage, your Donut Hole or Coverage Gap begins again each plan year.

Will Medicare Part D go down in 2023?

Part D Premiums

The estimated national average monthly PDP premium for 2023 is projected to be $43, a 10% increase from $39 in 2022, weighted by June 2022 enrollment (Table 2) – a rate of increase that outpaces both the current annual inflation rate and the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2023.

Does everyone on Medicare have the donut hole?

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the "donut hole"). This means there's a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs. Not everyone will enter the coverage gap. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs.

What is the projected 2023 Medicare Part D premium?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the average 2023 Medicare Part D basic monthly premium for standard coverage is projected to be approximately $31.50. This amount is a slight decrease from the average premium of $32.08 in 2022.

How do you survive the donut hole?

Five Ways to Avoid the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap (“Donut Hole”...
  1. Buy Generic Prescriptions. ...
  2. Order your Medications by Mail and in Advance. ...
  3. Ask for Drug Manufacturer's Discounts. ...
  4. Consider Extra Help or State Assistance Programs. ...
  5. Shop Around for a New Prescription Drug Plan.

What are the 4 phases of Part D coverage?

The Part D defined standard benefit has several phases, including a deductible, an initial coverage phase, a coverage gap phase, and catastrophic coverage, although it currently does not have a hard cap on out-of-pocket spending.

What is the deductible for SilverScript 2023?

Each SilverScript drug plan has different costs. The SilverScript Plus has a $0 deductible. The SilverScript SmartSaver has a $505 deductible but doesn't apply to Tier 1 medications.

Why do pharmacies not accept GoodRx?

The most oft-cited reason is that GoodRx further reduces the profits independent pharmacies make through the fees they charge the pharmacy in processing claims. Still, some pharmacies will take GoodRx coupons even though they will lose money, banking on the potential for repeat business from a new customer.

How does the donut hole work in 2023?

In 2023, you'll enter the donut hole when your spending + your plan's spending reaches $4,660. And you leave the donut hole — and enter the catastrophic coverage level – when your spending + manufacturer discounts reach $7,400. Both of these amounts are higher than they were in 2022, and generally increase each year.

Do I need Medicare Part D if I have GoodRx?

Keep in mind that you cannot use GoodRx and insurance at the same time. However, you can use GoodRx instead of insurance or government-funded programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for your prescription medications. GoodRx is not insurance.

What is the difference between a donut and a donut hole?

Traditionally, doughnut holes are made by frying the dough removed from the center portion of the doughnut. Consequently, they are considerably smaller than a standard doughnut and tend to be spherical. Similar to standard doughnuts, doughnut holes may be topped with confections, such as glaze or powdered sugar.

How much does eliquis cost per month?

The list price for a 30-day supply of ELIQUIS is $561. On average, patients pay $51 per month, and 5 out of 10 ELIQUIS patients pay $35 or less. Co-pay Card information.

What is the Part D coverage gap discount program?

The Medicare Coverage Gap Discount Program (Discount Program) makes manufacturer discounts available to eligible Medicare beneficiaries receiving applicable, covered Part D drugs, while in the coverage gap.