| 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 2010. 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) (GRAY Letter) |
people who will no longer automatically qualify for the Low Income Subsidy program in 2010. It explains why a person no longer automatically qualifies, and encourages them to complete and return an enclosed LIS application (a postage-paid pre-addressed envelope is also included). |
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 2010, but their co-payment levels will change as of January 1, 2010. |
• 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 2010. |
No action. Use this information to compare options for 2010. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan Termination Letter |
By October 2, people whose 2009 plan terminates in 2010 will get notices from plans. |
You must look for a new plan for coverage in 2010. |
| October |
Plans |
Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Template |
By October 31, people will get a notice from their current plan outlining 2010 formulary, benefit design, and/or premium changes. |
Review changes to decide whether the plan will continue to meet your prescription drug needs in 2010. |
| 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 2010 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 2010 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. |
| Early November |
CMS |
LIS Choosers Letter(Pub. No. 11267) (TAN Letter) |
Mailed to people whose premium cost will increase but Medicare isn't re-assigning because they chose and joined their own plan. Medicare is mailing this notice to people who qualify for the full (100%) premium subsidy whose Medicare Prescription Drug Plan premium in 2009 would increase above the determined low-income premium subsidy amount. This notice lets people know the cost for their drug plan premiums in 2010 and their options to stay in their plan or join another plan, including plans for which they will pay no monthly premium. |
• Keep the notice
• You may want to look for a new plan for coverage for 2010 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 to change plans. |
| Early November |
CMS |
Reassignment Letter (Pub. No. 11208 — Version 1) (BLUE Letter) (Link is to 2008 letter, 2009 not yet available) |
Mailed to people who continue to qualify for extra help in 2010 but will be re-assigned to a new prescription drug plan starting January 1, 2010. Medicare is re-assigning people who meet three factors:
1.) qualify for the full (100%) premium subsidy,
2.) their 2009 prescription drug plan in raising their premium cost above the determined low-income premium amount, and
3.) Medicare enrolled them in the plan.
Medicare is also re-assigning all people who qualify for the LIS program whose Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are leaving the Medicare Program. |
• Keep the notice.
• Compare the 2010 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 2010; 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, 2010, unless they join a new plan on their own by December 31, 2009. |
• Keep the notice.
• Compare the 2010 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 2010; 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 2010; 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 2010; 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 2010; visit www.medicare.gov, or contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized help. |
