Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Certificates to Employees

It is that time of the year again when the annual Notice of Creditable Coverage as required under Medicare Part D must be distributed by Employers. The notice informs participants if the prescription drug coverage offered under the Employer's group health plan is considered "creditable" or "non-creditable" coverage. Employers who sponsor a health plan that includes prescription drug benefits must provide the annual notice to all Medicare-eligible participants. The notice will explain whether or not the prescription drug benefits offered under the group health plan are at least as good as the benefits offered under the Medicare Part D plan. The Notice of Credible Coverage must be provided: At least once a year before October 15th (the start of the annual Medicare Part D enrollment period which is from October 15th through December 7th for 2019). Whenever a Medicare-eligible employee, spouse or dependent enrolls in the employer's health plan (including Medicare eligible COBRA individuals and their dependents; Medicare eligible disabled individuals covered under the group health plan's prescription drug plan and any retirees and their dependents). Whenever there is a change in the creditable or non-creditable status of the employer's health plan prescription drug coverage. Whenever an individual requests the notice. CMS (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) has posted forms and instructions for providing this notice. Forms are available in English and Spanish. To access more information on this subject, please click on the link below: https://www.cms.gov/CreditableCoverage/ To access the notices, please click on the link below: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/CreditableCoverage/CCDisclosureForm.html

Important Note for Employers! Employers must provide a disclosure to CMS on an annual basis, via an online form, reporting whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. CMS requires that the disclosure be provided within: 60 days after the beginning date of the Plan Year for which the entity is providing the Disclosure to CMS Form; 30 days after the termination of the prescription drug plan; and 30 days after any change in the creditable coverage status of the prescription drug plan. Information regarding the Employer's Disclosure to CMS can be found by clicking on the link below: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/prescription-drug-coverage/creditablecoverage/ccdisclosureform.html