| Many seniors who have signed up for the Medicare | | | | same medications, in Canada, for about $1650. |
| Prescription Drug plan are shocked to find out that | | | | As an example, someone ordering Lipitor 20mg |
| they are already hitting the dreaded gap in coverage | | | | through their Medicare Part D plan while in the |
| known as the "doughnut hole". During this gap in | | | | doughnut hole would have to shell out $348 dollars for |
| coverage, between $2250 and $5100 in prescription | | | | a 90 day supply. The same 90 day supply of Lipitor |
| drug spending, Medicare Part D participants lose | | | | 20mg is a much more reasonable $195 at Universal |
| coverage, must continue to pay their monthly | | | | Drugstore. That is a savings of $153 dollars or 44% |
| premiums and are 100% responsible for paying for | | | | less. |
| their medications themselves. Once they hit the | | | | "U.S. seniors need to be told about this option," Uhl |
| doughnut hole, this massive jump in monthly medication | | | | urges. "Seniors who hit the doughnut hole but are not |
| expenditures makes it very difficult for some Plan D | | | | going spend enough to come out on the other side of |
| participants to cope financially. | | | | the doughnut hole are being duped if they buy their |
| In a recent Business Week article, Bruce Stuart, | | | | drugs through their Medicare plan while experiencing |
| director of the Peter Lamy Center on Drug Therapy | | | | this gap in coverage. By purchasing their medications |
| & Aging at the University of Maryland, estimated | | | | from Canada while they are in the doughnut hole |
| that about 38% of Medicare beneficiaries are at risk of | | | | these individuals can truly maximize their savings." |
| hitting the doughnut hole this year. This estimation | | | | A recent Los Angeles Times article reported that the |
| means that 7 million to 10 million participants could hit | | | | gap in coverage could change next year to between |
| the doughnut hole and lose coverage for part of this | | | | $2400 and $5,451. This would mean an even bigger |
| year. | | | | gap in coverage next year and therefore more money |
| "Seniors were expecting to receive a benefit that | | | | out of Part D participants' pockets. How big the |
| would help them save money all year long and now | | | | coverage gap will grow in future years can only be |
| they are getting slapped with massive monthly | | | | speculated. |
| medication bills part way through the year." says Jeff | | | | Although purchases at Canadian pharmacies do not |
| Uhl, president of Universal Drugstore, a Canadian | | | | count towards an individuals out-of-pocket expenses |
| mail-order pharmacy. "Our customers are really angry | | | | Medicare Part D participants may want to consider |
| about having to pay full U.S. retail price once they hit | | | | using a Canadian pharmacy. Using a Canadian |
| the doughnut hole and they are rushing back. People | | | | Pharmacy in the right situations can provide substantial |
| are realizing that they can save much more filling their | | | | savings to seniors. Some people suggest that seniors |
| prescription with our pharmacy once they hit the | | | | use a Canadian pharmacy when a drug is not |
| doughnut hole." | | | | covered by their plan or when they reach the $2850 |
| At an average savings of 42% less than U.S. retail | | | | gap in coverage but will not reach the other side of the |
| prices, individuals can find substantial savings filling their | | | | doughnut hole where they can take advantage of the |
| prescriptions at a licensed Canadian Pharmacy once | | | | catastrophic coverage portion of Part D. |
| they reach the doughnut hole. The $2850 worth of | | | | With all the confusion with Medicare Part D plans it is |
| medications that individuals have to pay for personally | | | | difficult for seniors to know what is their best course |
| while in the coverage gap would cost an average of | | | | of action. For many Medicare-eligible individuals using a |
| 42% less in Canada. That means that instead of | | | | Canadian pharmacy as a part of their annual |
| paying $2850 for their medications while in the | | | | prescription drug purchasing game plan is something |
| doughnut hole, an individual could purchase the exact | | | | they should seriously consider. |