What is the Outlook for Medicare Part D 2009?

2009 Medicare Part D Plan Search Tools

CMS Part D 2009 Standard Benefit Model Plan Details

• Initial Deductible:
  from $275 in 2008 to $295 in 2009
• Initial Coverage Limit:
  from $2,510 in 2008 to $2,700 in 2009
• Out-of-Pocket Threshold:
  from $4,050 in 2008 to $4,350 in 2009
• Minimum Cost-sharing in the Catastrophic Coverage Portion of the Benefit:
  from $2.25 for generic or preferred drug that is a multi-source drug and $5.60 for all other drugs in 2008 to $2.40 for generics and $6.00 for other drugs in 2009
• Maximum Co-payments below the Out-of-Pocket Threshold for certain Low Income Full Subsidy Eligible Enrollees:
  from $2.25 for generic or preferred drug that is a multi-source drug and $5.60 for all other drugs in 2008 to $2.40 for generics and $6.00 for other drugs in 2009

2009 Low-Income Premium Subsidy Amounts and Other LIS Links

Important Medicare Part D Dates for 2008-2009

• October 1, 2008:
  Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan Marketing Activities can begin - At this time you will be able to once again gather information and evaluate the various Part D plan alternatives.
• Please note, no enrollments may be accepted before November 15, 2008.
• November 15 to December 31, 2008:
  Annual Coordinated Election Period - Here is your chance to join a Medicare Part D plan for 2009. If you already have a Medicare Part D plan, this is your time to look back over 2008 and make another decision for your 2009 coverage. Should you stay with your existing coverage or make a change? Here is your opportunity to decide. If you make no decision, you will remain in the same plan as you elected in 2008. There is no enrollment required to renew your present coverage. Don't forget the previous years! People who waited until the end of December also waited into January for the arrival of their Welcome Information. Bottom Line: Don't wait until the end of December to make your enrollment decision. (If you do not enroll during this period, your next chance for coverage is January 2010.)
• January 1, 2009:
  Your 2009 Medicare Part D plan becomes effective and you will be able to begin using your Part D benefits.
• January 1 to March 31, 2009:
  Coordinating Special Enrollment Period (or SEP) - This special period is available for those people who enrolled into a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug coverage (MA-PDs) and now wish to disenroll back to original Medicare coverage and a Prescription Drug Plan. As noted by CMS: "PDPs must accept enrollments for individuals enrolled in a MA-PD plan and who choose to elect Original Medicare during the MA OEP that occurs from January 1, 2009 through March 31, 2009. Since MA rules require these individuals to maintain prescription drug coverage, they MUST enroll in a PDP to accompany Original Medicare. This SEP allows MA-PD enrollees to enroll in a PDP and is limited to 1 enrollment."