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# What is the Medicare rebate?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/what_is_the_medicare_rebate_1506100940/
- Published: 2010-06-15T23:39:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T12:51:53.000Z
- Description: Under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Part D enrollees who reach the 2010 coverage gap and do not already receive Extra Help automatically get a tax-free, one-time $250 rebate check. No forms are required, and checks went out monthly starting in mid-June as people entered the gap.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Miscellaneous, Health News, #vivvo-import

The [Affordable Care Act](http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.uscongress/legislation.111hr4872?ref=foodconsumer.org) contains a rebate provision for Part D [Medicare](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=1366&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org) recipients. If you have [Medicare prescription drug coverage](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6925&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org), and are not already receiving [Medicare Extra Help](http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp/?ref=foodconsumer.org), Medicare will automatically send you a [tax-free, one-time $250 rebate check](http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11464.pdf?ref=foodconsumer.org) (.PDF document) after you reach the coverage gap (also called the "donut hole") in 2010\. This rebate is intended to help with [out-of-pocket costs for Medicare prescription drug coverage](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6304&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org).

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap. This means that after your plan has spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay all drug costs out-of-pocket (up to a limit). Your Explanation of Benefits notice will tell you how much you have spent on covered drugs and whether you have entered the coverage gap.

There are no forms to fill out; Medicare will automatically send a rebate check to you. These checks will be mailed to beneficiaries starting in mid-June. Checks will be mailed monthly throughout the year as beneficiaries enter the coverage gap.  
  
If you enter the coverage gap after the rebate check program has begun, you should expect to receive your check within 45 days. Your rebate may be delayed if Medicare does not have information from your Medicare drug plan showing that you reached the coverage gap in time to include you in the next mailing. You should contact your Medicare drug plan to make sure all of your information has been sent to Medicare.   
  
If you do not receive your rebate check, contact Medicare at 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227). TTY users should call 1.877.486.2048.

**Additional Resources:**

- [Healthcare Reform](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=8537&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Generic Equivalent to a Brand Name Prescription Drug](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7673&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Medicare and You Handbook](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6781&p%5Fsid=1qrw8y2k&p%5Flva=8762&ref=foodconsumer.org)

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By USA.gov team