"Donut Hole"?

[itsrobert]

The Democrats use the term "donut hole" but what is that suppose to mean?

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. A gap in Medicare prescription drug Plan D where insurance doesn't pay.

[itsrobert]

3. Why don't they just call it the "gap"?

"Donut Hole" means nothing to me.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. LIkewise, you mean nothing to the legislators in DC

[ThomWV]

7. That's a mighty good god damned question - and I'll tell you what I think the answer is

It is manipulation of the language and in this case it seems to me that they call it the 'donut hole' for a very good reason. There is nothing threatening about a donut hole, its kind of a nice thing. Duncan Donuts used to sell them by the bag full, people loved them. So what's that got to do with anything? Well, if the word isn't threatening then its hard for anyone to get serious about fighting it. That "Donut Hole" is the straw that broke the camel's back for some folks facing bankruptcy with medical costs, but because of its innocuous name no one pays a great deal of attention to it. I give as evidence the simple fact that the author didn't know what the term meant.

[Orsino]

9. Yeah.

"Friendly fire" turns out to have nothing to do with cuddling up in front of the Yule log.

[ProleNoMore]

2. It's A Lack Of Coverage Where One Has To Pay For certain Kinds Of Drugs

eom

[SmileyRose]

4. I assume it's regarding Medicare part D

the drug plan Seniors are forced to buy has benefits up to a certain dollar amount. Once a senior citizen reaches that maximum there are no more benefits - yet they still have to pay premiums. However, if their prescription expenses are SO large that they reach another level, the benefits kick back in.

I don't know the exact numbers but think of it as

first $1000 of prescriptions are covered with a copay
between $1000 and $3000 there is no coverage and patient pays full price
above $3000 benefits kick back in and prescriptions are again covered with a copay

[Cleita]

6. It is. Another POS legislation handed to seniors by the PhRMA industry. n/t

[ProdigalJunkMail]

8. great little place near Destin for a quick breakfast

before hitting the beach...

sP

[Peregrine Took]

10. It puts my 85 yr old SIL in a hard place every year to pay her RX bills.

She, already, had to file for bankruptcy when she was 80 due to medical bills.

And I'm referring to a single woman who worked almost until she was 70 and has a pension and social security and she still was in debt in her old age.

[asjr]

11. And when the donut hole has been reached

one pays retail price for the drugs plus you still have to pay the premium every month. It is highway robbery pure and simple.