News & Announcements

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
 Coverage Notice
 
What Is the Purpose of This Notice?
This notice lets people know what their plan’s premium will be in 2011, and explains that they will have to pay a portion of their plan’s premium each month out-of-pocket unless they join a new plan by December 31, 2010.

The notice is printed on both sides of tan paper. The front page is the notice. On the back of the notice is a list of plans for each region that have premiums at or below the low-income premium subsidy amount.

Who Gets This Notice?
Medicare will mail this notice to people who qualify for the full premium subsidy and who will be liable for a portion of their plan’s premium in 2011. Medicare will not reassign these people to a new Medicare drug plan because they chose to join their current plan on their own, or switched to a different Medicare Prescription Drug Plan from the one Medicare enrolled them in.

When Do People Get This Notice?
The notice will be mailed by early November.

What Should People Do Next?
People with Medicare should consider their options carefully. If they don’t join a new plan by December 31, 2010, they will face a premium liability. People who want more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage can do the following:

• Visit www.medicare.gov and get personalized drug plan information.

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

• Call their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized health insurance counseling. See the “Medicare & You” handbook or call 1-800-MEDICARE for the telephone number for their state.

People can reference CMS Product No. 11267 when calling Medicare or their SHIP with questions about this notice.