Medicare Part D Notice Requirement

Employers should confirm whether their health plans’ prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable and prepare to send their Medicare Part D disclosure notices by Oct. 14, 2016. CMS also requires notices to be provided to “Medicare eligible plan participants” at other times during the year, such as:

• Prior to an affected individual’s initial enrollment period for Part D
• Prior to the effective date of coverage for any Medicare-eligible individual who joins the plan
• Whenever prescription drug coverage ends or changes, which results in a change in the status of the coverage
• Upon an affected individual’s request

Model notices (in English and Spanish), and additional guidance on this compliance matter can be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/CreditableCoverage/Model-Notice-Letters.html

######