Urgent: Medicare Part D deadline is May 15
Released: May 9, 2006
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified its position on enrollment dates and penalties for seniors in Louisiana who enroll in Medicare Part D, according to Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon.
All Louisiana seniors must choose a Medicare Part D plan by Monday, May 15, unless they live in one of these Hurricane Katrina-impacted parishes: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, East and West Baton Rouge, East and West Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion and Washington.
ENROLLMENT CLARIFICATION FOR LOUISIANA
A senior who DOES NOT live in a hurricane-impacted parish has until Monday, May 15 to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, unless they already have credible prescription drug coverage of their own. If they miss the May 15 deadline, Louisiana seniors in non-impacted areas will not be able to enroll in a Medicare plan until the next enrollment period, November 15 to December 31, 2006, with coverage that begins on January 1, 2007.
A senior who DOES live in a hurricane-impacted parish has until December 31, 2006, to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, unless they already have credible prescription drug coverage. Once a senior in these impacted parishes enrolls in a plan, the prescription drug coverage begins the first day of the next month after they enroll. For example, if a senior enrolls in Medicare Part D on August 15, and they live in a hurricane-impacted parish, their Medicare Part D coverage begins September 1, 2006.
If a senior who lives in a hurricane-impacted parish does not enroll by December 31, 2006, he or she will have to wait until November 15, 2007, to enroll in Medicare Part D, just like all Louisiana seniors.
PENALTY CLARIFICATION FOR LOUISIANA
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans will assess a penalty for people with Medicare who enroll in a prescription drug plan after May 15. For each month of delayed sign-up, the premium rises one percent of the national benchmark premium.
A senior who DOES NOT live in a hurricane-impacted parish but enrolls by May 15 will not face any enrollment penalties.
A senior who DOES NOT live in a hurricane-impacted parish but does NOT enroll by May 15 will be assessed a penalty for every month after May 15, 2006, until their coverage begins. For example, if a senior from Caddo Parish enrolls on November 15, 2006, he or she will carry a seven-month penalty (for June through December) since coverage will begin January 1, 2007.
A senior who DOES live in a hurricane-impacted parish has until July 16, 2006, to enroll without any penalty.
A senior who DOES live in a hurricane-impacted parish who enrolls AFTER JULY 16 will be assessed a penalty for every month after May 15, 2006, until their coverage begins in 2006. For example, if a senior from Orleans Parish enrolls on August 15, he or she will carry a three-month penalty (for June through August) since their coverage will begin September 1, 2006. Beneficiaries who qualify for Medicare’s extra help will not have to pay a penalty even if they enroll after May 15.
Alan Heumann, Director of the Louisiana Department of Insurance Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), said more than 7 million beneficiaries in the United States, and just under 250,000 in Louisiana, remain without coverage, according to Medicare agency data, including many who could qualify for extra financial help because of low income and assets. “For Medicare beneficiaries still trying to make a decision about signing up for prescription coverage through Medicare, state and local organizations can help beneficiaries compare plans,” said Heumann.
Beneficiaries and caregivers can call Medicare at 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for help and to speak with a counselor. Your local Social Security office or the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) can also provide assistance for those who may qualify.
The Medicare Rx Access Network of LA urged citizens to contact one of the following: Louisiana SenioRx at 1-877-340-9100 or www.louisianaseniorx.org, Louisiana Answers at 1-800-833-9883 or www.LouisianaAnswers.com or SHIIP at 1-800-259-5301 or www.ldi.state.la.us.
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