United States Senator Patty Murray

HealthCare.gov was launched to help individuals have more control over their health care as informed and empowered consumers. It makes comparison shopping easier with a new insurance finder that allows users to answer a few basic questions and receive information about insurance options that could work for them. The site makes a system that thrived on complication and confusion easier to understand.

No senior should ever have to worry about not being able to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. So I worked hard to make sure that the recent health care reform legislation signed by President Obama on March 23, 2010 includes significant improvements to the Medicare Part D program.  With this new law, seniors will soon begin to see substantial relief on the cost of their prescription medications.  Here is some information that Washington state seniors need to know about how support will help them.

Those seniors who fall into the gap in coverage in 2010 will receive a $250 check this year to help offset the cost.  It is estimated that roughly 76,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington state could be eligible for these $250 checks this year.

These checks began being mailed out on June 10, 2010.  They will be sent by a Medicare contractor in envelopes with the Department of Health and Human Service logo clearly displayed and with the contractor’s Wisconsin address as the return address. 

If you have any questions about your check or have not received a rebate you think you may be eligible for, you should call Medicare's toll-free number  1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

June 10 was just the first mailing.  Seniors who reach the coverage gap this year will receive their rebate checks automatically without filling out any paperwork or making a formal request.  Checks will be mailed out monthly throughout the year as seniors reach the gap