‘Donut Hole’ Rebates In Mail

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Medicare officials want to remind West Oahu residents that an envelope they are about to receive is anything but junk mail.

Beginning June 10, thousands of Hawaii residents who fall into the Medicare Part D prescription-drug coverage gap were to start receiving a one-time, tax-free $250 rebate check.

The so-called “donut hole” rebate is one part of the health care reform that the president signed into law March 23. The rebate has been promoted as a necessary step to correct some holes in coverage that existed under older health care plans.

“This is just the first example of how the health care reform bill will strengthen Medicare and help Hawaii’s seniors,” said U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono.

In another part of the president’s health care plan, donut hole seniors will receive a 50-percent discount on brand-name drugs starting next January.

The checks are being mailed over the next several months to the 16,500 Hawaii residents who qualify for the rebates.