This is the simplest explanation we know. Just to give you a simple understanding. This is the minimum coverage the drug plans must provide. Once you understand the basics, it is easy to pick which plans offer your drugs, and which ones work with your pharmacy. We can help you with that.

• There is a $310 deductible before any benefits are paid towards prescriptions
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• The insured person then pays 25% of their yearly drug costs from $310 to $2,830 and the plan pays the other 75% of the cost.
  
  
• The insured pays 100% of prescription expenses during the donut hole (The Gap) during the remainder 2010 until he/she has paid a total of $4,550 on their own, then:
  
  
• The insured pays a maximum of $2.50 for generics, and $6.30 for name brands for the rest of the calendar year. Some beneficiaries may pay less, or nothing at all.

Keep in mind that the above coverage limits are the minimum mandated by Medicare. Virtually all drug plans offered by private insurance provide lower (or no) deductible and various copays for each 30 day supply of drugs you purchase. Many plans offer coverage through the "Gap" for generic drugs.