| Date |
Sender |
Mailing/Color |
Main Message |
Consumer Action |
| Mid-May |
Social Security |
Social Security LIS and MSP Outreach Letter (SSA Pub. Forms L446, L447 & L448) |
Informs people who may be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs about the MSPs and the extra help available for Medicare prescription drug plan costs. |
• If you think you qualify for extra help, you should apply.
• For more information about the extra help or if you want to apply, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). |
| Early August |
CMS |
LIS Direct Marketing Cost-Effectiveness Study Mailing |
Informs 20,000 randomly selected beneficiaries about the extra help as part of a special pilot study, and encourages them to apply. |
• If you think you qualify for extra help, you should apply.
• For more information about the extra help or if you want to apply, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). |
| Late August |
Social Security |
Social Security Letter to Review Eligibility for Extra Help (SSA Form No 1026) |
Informs people selected for review that they should see if they continue to qualify for extra help in 2009. Includes an "Income and Resources Summary" sheet. |
If you receive this letter, you must return the enclosed form in the enclosed postage paid envelope within 30 days or your extra help may end. |
| September |
CMS |
Loss of Deemed Status Letter (Pub. No. 11198) (GREY Letter) |
Informs people that they no longer automatically qualify for extra help as of January 1, 2009. |
Apply for extra help through Social Security (application and postage paid envelope enclosed) or a State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. |
| Early October |
CMS |
Change in Extra Help Co-payment Letter (Pub. No. 11199) (ORANGE Letter) |
Informs people that they will continue to automatically qualify for extra help in 2009, but their co-payment levels will change as of January 1, 2009. |
• Keep the notice.
• No action, unless you believe an error has occurred. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan Marketing Materials |
On October 1, plans begin sending marketing materials for 2009. |
No action. Use this information to compare options for 2009. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan Termination Letter |
By October 2, people whose 2008 plan terminates in 2009 will get notices from plans.< |
You must look for a new plan for coverage in 2009. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Model ANOC |
By October 31, people will get a notice from their current plan outlining 2009 formulary, benefit design, and/or premium changes. |
Review changes to decide whether the plan will continue to meet your prescription drug needs in 2009. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan LIS Rider |
By October 31, all people who qualify for the LIS will get an LIS rider from their plan telling them how much subsidy they will get in 2009 towards their Part D premium, deductible, and copayments. |
Keep this with your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC), so you can refer to it if you have questions about your costs. |
| October |
CMS |
Medicare & You 2009 Handbook (This is a link to the 2008 Handbook) |
Mailed to all Medicare households each fall and includes a summary of Medicare benefits, rights, and protections; lists of health and drug plans available in the area; and answers to frequently asked questions about Medicare. |
Keep the handbook as a reference guide. "Medicare & You" can also be found at www.medicare.gov. |
| October |
Employer/ Union Plans |
Notice of Creditable Coverage |
Employer/union and other group health plans must tell all Medicare-eligible plan participants whether or not their drug coverage is creditable before November 15 each year. |
Keep the notice. |
| Late October / Early November |
CMS |
LIS Choosers Letter(Pub. No. 11267) (TAN Letter) |
Informs LIS beneficiaries who chose a plan on their own that their plan’s premium is rising above the regional LIS premium subsidy amount, and they will be responsible for paying a portion of their plan’s premium unless they join a new plan. |
• Keep the notice
• You may want to look for a new plan for coverage for 2009 with a premium below the regional low income subsidy benchmark. (Letter includes list of local plans with no premium liability.)
• Change plans in early Dec. if you choose |
| Late October / Early November |
CMS |
Reassignment Letter (Pub. No. 11208 — Version 1) (BLUE Letter) |
Informs people that their current plan is leaving the Medicare Program and they will be reassigned to a new plan effective January 1, 2009, unless they join a new plan on their own by December 31, 2008. |
• Keep the notice.
• Compare the 2009 plans to see which plan meets your needs.
• Change plans, if you choose, in early December.• For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048; check Medicare & You 2009; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
| Late October / Early November |
CMS |
Reassignment Letter (Pub. No. 11209 — Version 2) (BLUE Letter) |
Informs auto-enrollees that because their plan’s premiums are increasing above the regional LIS premium subsidy amount, they will be reassigned to a new plan effective January 1, 2009, unless they join a new plan on their own by December 31, 2008. |
• Keep the notice.
• Compare the 2009 plans to see which plan meets your needs.
• Change plans, if you choose, in early December.• For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048; check Medicare & You 2009; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
| November |
Social Security |
Social Security Part B Income-Related Premium Adjustment Notice |
Tells higher-income consumers about income-related Part B premium adjustments. Includes the information in the December BRI notices (see below). |
Keep the notice. |
| November |
Social Security |
Social Security LIS Redetermination Decision Letter Begins |
Social Security begins mailing decision letters about LIS eligibility for the coming year. |
• Keep the notice
• If you believe the decision is incorrect, you have the right to appeal it. The letter explains how to appeal.
• If you have questions, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). |
| Late November |
Social Security |
Social Security LIS and MSP Outreach Letter (Form SSA-L441) |
Informs people who may be eligible for QDWI about the Medicare Savings Programs and the extra help available for Medicare prescription drug plan costs. |
• If you think you qualify for extra help, you should apply.
• For more information about the extra help or if you want to apply, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). |
| December |
Social Security |
Social Security Benefit Rate Increase (BRI) Notice |
Tells people about benefit payment changes for the coming year due to cost of living increases, variations in the premiums that are withheld, etc. |
Keep the notice. |
| Daily - ongoing |
CMS |
Deemed Status Letter (Pub No. 11166) (PURPLE Letter beginning in Sept/Oct) |
Informs people that they will automatically get extra help, including people 1) with Medicare and Medicaid, 2) in Medicare Savings Program, and 3) who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. |
• Keep the notice.
• No need to apply to get the extra help.
• Compare Medicare prescription drug plans with others to meet your needs.
• For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE; check Medicare & You 2009; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
| Daily - ongoing |
CMS |
Auto-Enrollment Notice (Pub No. 11154) (YELLOW Letter) |
Informs people who qualify for Medicare & Medicaid and who currently get their benefits through the Original Medicare Plan that they will be automatically enrolled in a drug plan if they don’t enroll themselves or decline coverage. |
• Keep the notice.
• No need to apply to get the extra help.
• If you don’t join a plan, Medicare will enroll you in one.
• Compare Medicare prescription drug plans with others to meet your needs.
• For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE; check Medicare & You 2009; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
| Daily - ongoing |
CMS |
Facilitated Enrollment Notice (Pub No. 11186 & Pub No 11191) (GREEN Letter) |
Informs people who either 1) belong to a Medicare Savings Program or 2) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or 3) applied and qualified for the extra help that they will be automatically enrolled in a drug plan if they don’t enroll themselves or decline coverage. |
• Keep the notice.
• If you don’t join a plan, Medicare will enroll you in one.
• Compare Medicare prescription drug plans with others to meet your needs.
• For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE; check Medicare & You 2009; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
