October 01, 2019
Employers must notify individuals who are eligible to participate in their medical plan of whether the plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable as compared to Medicare Part D coverage.
As a reminder, the Medicare Part D notice of creditable coverage should be distributed to employees by October 14, 2019. This notice serves to inform Medicare-eligible individuals of whether or not their employer group coverage is creditable. That information is necessary to help such individuals avoid paying higher premiums (also known as late enrollment penalties) for Medicare Part D coverage.
Employers should consult with their service providers to determine whether their coverage is creditable using either the simplified determination method or an actuarial analysis. Also keep in mind that CMS provides a model notice for employers.