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Guide to LIS Mailings from CMS, Social Security and Plans
This is archive material for research purposes. Please see PDPFinder.com or MAFinder.com for current plans.
SUMMER AND FALL 2008


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.


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  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
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