This month, many seniors who have Medicare Part D will be receiving a $250 check in the mail. This rebate is the start in the gradual closing of the gap in the Medicare Part D coverage where people with Part D have to pay 100 percent of the drug cost, also known as the “doughnut hole.”

Going forward, starting in 2011, people with Part D coverage will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and a 7 percent discount on generic drugs while they are in the doughnut hole. The amount of these discounts on prescriptions will continue to increase each year until 2020 when the gap will be closed completely.

People who fall into this Medicare Part D coverage gap this year will automatically be mailed the $250 rebate check. However, there are a few additional things that people should know.

First, people should keep their receipts when buying drugs as proof that they have hit the doughnut hole and are eligible for the $250 check.

Second, people should be careful of scams. Feel free to report someone to the police or attorney general if they hear of someone offering to get these rebate checks earlier for a fee.

Carol Kontos, Windham

AARP Maine state president