BRIEF: Coverage gap for prescription drugs continues to close

Source: Detroit Free PressOct.迷你倉 30--The doughnut hole continues to close.Longtime Medicare beneficiaries with lots of prescription drugs have known for years about the gap in coverage, called the doughnut hole, a temporary dip in Medicare prescription drug coverage that happens after consumers reach a certain amount on covered drugs. Only after they spend a certain amount more -- essentially reaching the other side of the coverage gap -- does coverage kick in again.That hole has been shrinking under the 2010 Affordable Care Act and will continue to close until 2020.In 2014, consumers who reach the gap will pay 47.5% of th自存倉 cost for covered brand-name drugs and 72% of the plan's cost for covered generic drugs. When they reach the other side of the gap, they pay only co-pays and coinsurance for the rest of the year.Co-payments, coinsurance and yearly deductibles all count toward moving consumers through that gap. Premiums do not.The point at which the gap starts and ends varies by plan. Plus, some plans offer additional coverage during the gap. It's important to check out the details when comparing plans.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Detroit Free Press Visit the Detroit Free Press at .freep.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉