Checks on way to Medicare recipients for 'donut hole'
Rep. Johnson warns seniors of scams, fraud:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today announced that starting tomorrow, Medicare will begin mailing out to tens of thousands of seniors in Georgia their $250 ‘donut hole’ checks.
Under the recently enacted health reform law, seniors who fall in the donut hole coverage gap in 2010 will receive this one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check. These checks will continue to be mailed monthly over the next several months as seniors enter the coverage gap.
“Seniors have enough concerns without having to worry about how they are going to pay for prescriptions that help keep them healthy and active,” said Johnson. “This is one of the many ways the Affordable Health Care for America law is making an impact right away.”
All Medicare recipients who have already paid $2,830 for prescriptions this year will receive the checks that will be issued automatically. Johnson warned seniors to be on the lookout for fraud and scams. Seniors do not need to give anyone personal information to receive the check.
Scam artists around the country have been preying on seniors expecting this check, calling seniors and telling them they need to give out personal information like Social Security numbers and bank accounts to receive the checks.
“That’s just not true, and if you get a call like this hang up and call the Attorney General’s office or reach out to DeKalb County Solicitor General Robert James’ office,” said Johnson. “Robert and I are committed to making sure our seniors are safe.”
“Seniors are far too often the targets of scams, abuse and exploitation,” said Solicitor James. “Our office is committed to prosecuting any person who defrauds a senior through harassment, false pretenses and undue influence. We will not let our seniors suffer in silence.”
Johnson said the $250 checks are just the first step in reducing prescription drug prices under health care reform. Next year, seniors in the donut hole will get a 50 percent discount on name-brand prescription drugs and a 75 percent discount on generic drugs. The average senior in Georgia on Medicare will save $700 next year on prescription drugs because of health care reform.
Attorney General Eric Holder’s office: 202-514-2000. DeKalb County Solicitor General Robert James’ office: (404) 371-2201.
Last year, roughly 97,800 Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia hit the donut hole, or gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage (5,400 in District 4), and received no extra help to defray the cost of their prescription drugs.2 Medicare beneficiaries in Georgia who hit the gap this year will automatically be mailed a one-time $250 rebate check. These checks will begin to be mailed to beneficiaries in mid-June and will be mailed monthly throughout the year as new beneficiaries hit the donut hole. The new law continues to provide additional discounts for seniors on Medicare in the years ahead and completely closes the donut hole by 2020.
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