This is a reminder that the deadline to distribute the Annual Notice of Creditable Coverage required under Medicare Part D is approaching quickly. This notice informs participants whether the prescription drug coverage offered under your health plan constitutes creditable or non-creditable coverage. You must distribute the notices to individuals before October 15.
Employers who sponsor a health plan offering prescription drug benefits must provide an annual notice to all Medicare-eligible participants that explains whether the prescription drug benefits offered under the plan are at least as good as the benefits offered under the Medicare Part D plan. The only employers exempt from this requirement are those that establish their own Part D plan or contract with a Part D plan.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have posted forms and instructions for providing this notice. The forms were last updated in 2011. They are available, both in English and Spanish, through the following links:
The Notice of Creditable Coverage must be provided:
Because it is difficult to keep track of which employees (and their spouses or dependents) are eligible for Medicare benefits, we recommend that you make the notice a part of your new-hire enrollment and annual open enrollment materials. If distributed before October 15, this should take care of the first two bullet points above.
Remember that you must also submit a Disclosure to CMS form each year, reporting whether your prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This form must be submitted electronically within 60 days of the beginning of each plan year. Thus, if you are on a calendar year, you must next submit the form by March 1, 2019. More information is available at the CMS Creditable Coverage web page.
If you have any questions about Medicare Part D notifications, please contact Norbert Kugele, Stephanie Grant or any other member of the Warner + Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation Practice Group.
