CMS Memo: Special Election Period for Beneficiaries affected by the 2008
Enrollment topics · published Dec 3, 2007
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
CENTER FOR BENEFICIARY CHOICES
DATE: October 3, 2007
TO: All Part D Sponsors
FROM: Cynthia Tudor, Ph.D., Director, Medicare Drug Benefit Group
Anthony Culotta, Director, Medicare Enrollment and Appeals Group
SUBJECT: Special Election Period for Beneficiaries affected by the 2008 Non-renewing Plans
This memo provides information on a Special Election Period (SEP) applicable to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). Effective 2008 there are Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) that are either non-renewing their contract with CMS or undergoing a Service Area Reduction (SAR), which may consist of a change from an Individual Market PDP to an Employer Only PDP.
Beneficiaries enrolled in a plan that is non-renewing or undergoing a SAR will receive a letter from their plan by October 2, 2007 informing them that they must enroll in a new Part D plan in order to have Part D coverage in 2008. These beneficiaries are entitled to a special election period (SEP) that will allow them to enroll in any PDP or MA-PD with an effective date of November 1, 2007, December 1, 2007, or January 1, 2008. However, the effective date may not be earlier than the date that the newly elected sponsor received the completed election form. All PDPs and MA-PDs are required to accept enrollment for a beneficiary that is eligible for this SEP.
Thank you for your cooperation on this issue and for your continued service to Medicare beneficiaries. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these instructions, please contact your central office account manager (PDPs) or regional office plan manager (MA-PDs).
(Emphasis Added)