What to do if you are in the coverage gap "donut hole" on your drug plan.

We have been receiving some calls from people that are in the coverage gap or "donut hole" and need help to pay for their prescriptions. Only a few plans pay for coverage during the gap and most of them only cover generic drugs. Here are a few suggestions:

1. When you begin your plan for 2008, buy all the generics you can OFF YOUR DRUG CARD. There are many large retailers (Walmart and Target) that sell generics for $4. Those drugs will not count toward you reaching the gap. This may extend the time before you get there.

2. Use generics whenever possible. If you have a brand drug, ask your doctor if there is an equivalent generic that will do the same thing.

3. If you know you will reach the coverage gap but not get to the catastrophic level, then shop around and compare prices of drugs at the different stores. Some pharmacies have a higher drug cost than others. Make sure you ask about the cost of the drug. Get your medications at the place with the lowest cost. You may even want to source them from one of the "Canadian Drug" outlets around town.

4. Try going to the Drug Manufactures themselves and asking if you qualify to recieve your drugs for free. They do give out free medications to those who have income too high to receive the Part D Drug Assistance Program from Social Security, but still low enough to need help. You will have many hoops to jump through but it may help. They will require statements from your Part D Plan to prove you are in the coverage gap and income records to prove you need the assistance. You can find these companies online.

5. Call us to see if you qualify for any of the "extra help" programs. If you do you will not have a gap at all and your medications will be very low in cost.

The coverage gap is one reason why it is so important to check your drug plan each year. The plans are changing significantly for 2008. Contact us for help in finding the best plan for you. We work with clients in Kentucky and Indiana.