What percentage of costs do patients cover while in the "Donut Hole" for branded medications?

The percentage of costs that patients cover while in the "Donut Hole" for branded medications is 25%. However, it is important to recognize the structure of Medicare Part D and the changes over time, particularly due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which affected out-of-pocket costs during the coverage gap.

While patients in the "Donut Hole" generally experienced increasing out-of-pocket costs, a significant change was made such that they only pay 25% for their brand-name drugs during this period. The rationale behind this is to ease the financial burden on patients as they reach the coverage gap, which is designed to act as a limitation on the amount of money that patients must pay out-of-pocket through insurance plans.

Thus, the correct response regarding the percentage of costs that patients cover for branded medications while in the "Donut Hole" is indicative of these reforms aimed at protecting patients from excessive medication costs.