CMS Learn Resource 200711-15

Campaign Features Major Outreach to Beneficiaries Eligible for Low Income Subsidies, Enhanced Publications, and Online Tools

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that, beginning today, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to begin making enrollment changes in their health and prescription drug coverage for 2008, if necessary. The Medicare annual Open Enrollment Period for prescription drug plan runs from November 15 through December 31, 2007.

In addition, for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans only, beneficiaries can make one change in enrollment – enrolling in a new plan, changing plans or canceling a plan – between January 1 and March 31, 2008.

“Now is the time for beneficiaries to prepare and compare their health and prescription drug coverage options and choose the plan that best meets their needs,” said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. “We intend to keep building on the success the program has achieved thus far. The most recent satisfaction rate stands at 86 percent; the estimated average premium is 40 percent lower than originally estimated and total estimated costs are running $188 billion below initial projections. Part D is a program that is working well and is helping Medicare beneficiaries with their prescription drug costs.”

HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages all beneficiaries to act soon to compare their current plan with other plan options. If they are satisfied with their current plan, they do not need to do anything in order to maintain their coverage. CMS wants eligible beneficiaries who do not have prescription drug coverage to know that, if they wait, they may pay a penalty on their premium.

During this coordinated election period, beneficiaries are encouraged to review their prescriptions and other health needs when assessing the plan options described in the “Medicare & You” handbook or on www.medicare.gov . In addition, CMS recommends that beneficiaries gather any Medicare or Social Security mailings they received and materials made available by local counselors to use as a reference when speaking with a 1-800-Medicare representative or entering information on www.medicare.gov .

CMS also encourages people to take advantage of the enhanced online Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder options available on www.medicare.gov . This feature offers information on available drug plans, including out-of-pocket costs and pharmacy networks. The enhanced online Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare tools enable beneficiaries to compare drug plan options for prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans in their area. CMS continues to refine its educational tools, so beneficiaries will find it easier to locate information about available health and drug plans.

Starting today, www.medicare.gov also provides beneficiaries with the five-star ratings of the quality and performance of plans that offer Part C and Part D services. These plan ratings allow consumers to compare items such as customer service, complaints, managing chronic conditions, and ease in obtaining prescriptions.

To read more about the plan ratings within our Web compare tools, check out the CMS publication is available at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11226.pdf in the Medicare Web site.

To read more of the HHS Press release issued today click here: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/11/pr20071115a.html

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Posted: 11/20/2007