What legislative act moved up the closing date of the "donut hole" for brand name drugs?

The Bipartisan Act of 2018, also known as the "Bipartisan Budget Act," included provisions that altered the timing of the "donut hole" coverage gap in Medicare Part D. Specifically, it aimed to close the coverage gap sooner for brand name drugs, reducing out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

This act made significant changes to how Medicare beneficiaries would experience the cost sharing for their prescription medications. By advancing the closure of the donut hole, the goal was to ensure that individuals would pay less for their medications more quickly, thereby improving access to essential drugs for those relying on Medicare for their healthcare needs.

In contrast, the Affordable Care Act initially created a pathway to reduce costs related to the donut hole but did not specify a faster closure date for brand name drugs. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act primarily focused on payment reforms in Medicare, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act mainly addressed privacy and security concerns regarding health information and did not directly relate to prescription drug coverage gaps.