CMS has prepared two tip sheets related to the coverage gap (sometimes called the "donut hole") that affects about 28% of people with Medicare who have drug coverage in a plan that has a coverage gap.

One tip sheet, "How the Coverage Gap works for People with Medicare Prescription Drug Plans," is a tip sheet for partners who work with people with Medicare and contains several questions and answers related to the coverage gap. That tip sheet is available at

The second tip sheet, "Bridging the Coverage Gap," is written for distribution to people with Medicare and includes information on ways people can avoid or delay entering the gap, and continue to save money on drug costs while in the gap.

One of the tips in the "Bridging the Coverage Gap" tip sheet is for people to look into Patient Assistance Programs that may be offered by manufacturers of drugs. SHIP counselors may find helpful a reference chart of Patient Assistance Programs prepared by the private organization RxAssist.