Groups: Annual Disclosure to Medicare- Eligible Employees Deadline October 15th!

Free Notice Templates to Download:

Model Non Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notice

Model Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notice

Groups: Annual disclosure to Medicare-eligible employees deadline October 15:

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) added a prescription drug program to Medicare. As a result, employers who provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare Part D-eligible individuals must disclose to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether their drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable, regardless of whether it is primary or secondary to Medicare.

Disclosure to CMS: The Disclosure to CMS Form must be submitted to CMS on an annual basis. The disclosure must also be submitted if any changes are made that affect whether the drug coverage provided is creditable. This disclosure must be provided to CMS at least annually:

1. No later than 60 days from the beginning of the plan year start date for which the entity is providing the Disclosure to CMS Form (contract year, renewal year).

2. Within 30 days following of the termination of the prescription drug plan, and

3. Within 30 days after any change in the creditable coverage status of the prescription drug plan.

Submitting the form online is easy. Just go to the online Disclosure to CMS Form and follow the steps to submit. Employers will receive a confirmation notice once they have submitted the form.

Disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible employees due October 15: Employers who offer prescription drug coverage to active and retired employees and beneficiaries must notify all Medicare-eligible individuals whether or not their prescription drug coverage is creditable. The notice must be provided:

1. Prior to an individual’s initial enrollment period for the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

2. Prior to the effective date for enrolling in the group’s plan and upon any change that affects whether the coverage is creditable prescription drug coverage.

3. Prior to the start of the Medicare annual election period (AEP) that begins on October 15 of each year.

4. Upon beneficiary request.

The CMS model notice letters can be found online or through the Wellmark Employer Toolkit (search 10182-CC and 10182-NC). Employers are responsible for making sure they’re using the most up-to-date version. Please refer to the CMS Website for additional information: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/CreditableCoverage/index.html

For your reference the notices for both credible and non-credible coverage are available here: