Checks to start arriving on Thursday as part of health care reform 

June 9, 2010

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that Nevada seniors who reach the prescription drug coverage gap, or “doughnut hole,” will begin receiving Medicare rebate checks on Thursday as another provision of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act takes effect this year.   

“This first step in closing the doughnut hole will help Nevada seniors afford much-needed medication,” Reid said.  “Starting tomorrow and continuing throughout the year, Nevada seniors who fall into the doughnut hole will receive these rebate checks in the mail without having to fill out any extra forms.  Seniors will receive a 50 percent discount on medication next year, and the doughnut hole will be completely phased out over the next decade.”

Seniors should be aware of scams and fraud; they do not need to fill out any forms or submit any personal information in order to receive rebate checks.  Seniors should call 1-800-MEDICARE (1‑800-633-4227) to report anyone who asks for personal information. 

In addition to the Medicare rebate checks, other key provisions of the Affordable Care Act have already taken effect.  Several health insurance companies in Nevada will allow adult children under age 26 to remain on their parents’ plan ahead of the requirement to extend coverage in September of this year, and they’ve also eliminated rescissions—the practice of terminating an individual’s coverage when he or she becomes sick.  Other insurance companies in the state have announced they will end exclusion of coverage for children based on pre-existing conditions before the new law requires them to do so. 

Additionally, 27,000 small business owners in the state will receive tax credits this year to help cover health insurance costs for their employees.  Last week, the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program began helping companies maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older who don’t yet qualify for Medicare, further helping Nevada businesses provide affordable health care coverage.