Archive: If I enter the 2021 Donut Hole very early in the year, how much money could I possibly save with the Donut Hole Discount?

Around $4,082 in 2021. Your actual savings in your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan's Donut Hole or Coverage Gap will depend on several things including your Medicare Part D plan’s cost-sharing structure, how much you have spent before entering the Donut Hole, and whether you purchase generic or brand-name medications while in the Donut Hole (generic drugs receive a different discount than brand-name drugs and a portion of the retail price of brand-name drug purchases counts toward leaving the Donut Hole).

Here are some examples from different Medicare Part D plan years (we are assuming you only purchase brand-name medications and spend your way through your entire Coverage Gap or Donut Hole):

In 2021, you could save $4,082. Click here to see the 2021 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2020, you could save $3,952. Click here to see the 2020 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2019, you could save $3,019. Click here to see the 2019 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2018, you could save $2,809. Click here to see the 2018 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2017, you could save $2,458. Click here to see the 2017 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2016, you could save $2,167. Click here to see the 2016 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2015, you could save $2,154. Click here to see the 2015 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2014, you could save $1,941. Click here to see the 2014 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2013, you could save $2,027. Click here to see the 2013 Donut Hole Discount calculation
In 2012, you could save $1,984. Click here to see the 2012 Donut Hole Discount calculation

For more information, you can click here to see how the Donut Hole discount increased over the past years. The Donut Hole is now considered “closed” as you paid 25% in the Donut Hole for all formulary medication.

Our 2021 PDP-Planner (or Donut Hole Calculator) is available to illustrate your monthly estimated costs for 2021. Several examples are available to help you get started. Click here for an example of a Medicare beneficiary with relatively high monthly prescription drug costs (a retail drug cost of $800 per month).

You can also click on the following link to learn more about the 2021 Medicare Part D drug coverage.

If you would like to be notified by email when the Medicare plan information becomes available, please sign up for our Medicare Plan Information Reminder Service.