A group health plan’s prescription drug coverage is considered creditable if its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, as demonstrated through the use of generally accepted actuarial principles and in accordance with CMS
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration, is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state government…
What does creditable drug coverage mean?
In this case, creditable means as good as. Creditable drug coverage is as good as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. It's expected to pay, on average, at least as much as a Medicare Part D plan. Why is creditable important? Having drug coverage that's as good as Medicare Part D now saves you from a penalty later.
Is creditable drug coverage better than Medicare Part D?
Creditable drug coverage is as good as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. It's expected to pay, on average, at least as much as a Medicare Part D plan.
What is a Medicare drug plan notice of creditable coverage?
Not having a plan with creditable drug coverage can cost you money. If you sign up for a Medicare drug plan in the future, you’ll need to prove that you didn’t have a gap in prescription drug coverage. That’s where the notice of creditable coverage comes in.
What are the requirements for creditable coverage?
Creditable Coverage. The first disclosure requirement is to provide a written disclosure notice to all Medicare eligible individuals annually who are covered under its prescription drug plan, prior to October 15th each year and at various times as stated in the regulations, including to a Medicare eligible individual when he/she joins the plan.
What does Medicare consider creditable drug coverage?
Under §423.56(a) of the final regulation, coverage is creditable if the actuarial value of the coverage equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D, as demonstrated through the use of generally accepted actuarial principles and in accordance with CMS actuarial ...
What is a Notice of Creditable prescription drug coverage?
You'll get this notice each year if you have drug coverage from an employer/union or other group health plan. This notice will let you know whether or not your drug coverage is “creditable.”
What is proof of creditable coverage?
A certificate of Creditable Coverage (COCC) is a document provided by your previous insurance carrier that proves that your insurance has ended. This includes the name of the member to whom it applies as well as the coverage effective date and cancelation date.
How long can you go without creditable prescription drug coverage?
63 daysA person must be without creditable coverage 63 days or more in a row any time after they were first eligible to enroll to be charged a late enrollment penalty. Since the person had only one month without Part D or other creditable coverage, they wouldn't have to pay a penalty.
When should I send a creditable coverage notice?
At a minimum, the CMS creditable coverage disclosure notice must be provided at the following times: Within 60 days after the beginning date of the plan year for which the entity is providing the form; Within 30 days after the termination of the prescription drug plan; and.
What entities are required to provide a disclosure of creditable coverage status to CMS?
Group health plan sponsors are required to disclose to CMS whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This disclosure is required regardless of whether the health plan's coverage is primary or secondary to Medicare.
Why is creditable coverage important?
Creditable drug coverage matters because it may allow you to delay enrolling in Medicare and avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty. The penalty is charged if you enroll in a Medicare Part D plan after your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) ends and don't qualify for an exception.
What is declaration of prior prescription drug coverage?
This notice tells you if the prescription drug coverage you had through your prior plan was “creditable prescription drug coverage,” which means that it met Medicare's minimum standards. If you didn't get a separate written notice, your plan may have provided this information in its benefits handbook.
Is GoodRx creditable coverage?
GoodRx is also not considered creditable coverage. Therefore if you decide to skip enrolling in Part D in favor of GoodRx or another prescription drug discount program you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty once you decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
How can I avoid Medicare Part D Penalty?
3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penaltyEnroll in Medicare drug coverage when you're first eligible. ... Enroll in Medicare drug coverage if you lose other creditable coverage. ... Keep records showing when you had other creditable drug coverage, and tell your plan when they ask about it.
When did Medicare Part D become mandatory?
The MMA also expanded Medicare to include an optional prescription drug benefit, “Part D,” which went into effect in 2006.
What is creditable drug coverage?
In simplest terms, creditable drug coverage is when a person’s insurance coverage for prescription drugs matches or exceeds the standard set by Medicare. The designation is made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
When do you get a letter from Medicare?
Assuming you have Medicare eligibility, your health insurance plan will send you a letter every year, usually around September. 1 Keep this letter, also known as a notice of creditable coverage or certificate of creditable coverage. It will say clearly whether you have creditable drug coverage or non-creditable drug coverage.
Do Medicare Part D plans have creditable coverage?
These plans have creditable coverage by definition because they are part of the Medicare system. However, if you do not plan to sign up for Part D when you’re eligible—because you will have drug coverage from another source—you need to know whether your plan provides creditable drug coverage.
Do you have to worry about creditable coverage for Medicare Part D?
Maybe. If you plan to get prescription drug coverage from Medicare Part D as soon as you’re eligible (or from a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription coverage ), you don’t need to worry about creditable drug coverage. These plans have creditable coverage by definition because they are part of the Medicare system.
Can I have creditable drug coverage with Medicare?
If you are on a non-Medicare plan that includes prescription drug coverage but you are also eligible for Medicare, it’s important to know if your current health plan provides creditable drug coverage. Not having it could mean you’ll pay penalties down the road. If you’re already on a Medicare drug plan, you don’t need to worry about creditable drug ...
What does "creditable" mean in medical terms?
What's creditable mean? It doesn't have anything to do with credit. In this case, creditable means as good as. Creditable drug coverage is as good as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. It's expected to pay, on average, at least as much as a Medicare Part D plan.
What is Part D drug coverage?
When you become eligible for Medicare, you're expected to have Part D drug coverage within a certain time frame. If you wait, you'll pay more for your coverage when you do enroll. This is called a late enrollment penalty. Having creditable drug coverage protects you from that penalty. Here's an example of how it works.
Can you get Medicare through an employer?
Are you used to getting your health coverage through an employer or group? After you become eligible for Medicare, your employer may continue to provide additional health coverage, like a Medicare Advantage plan. When that coverage includes prescription drugs, it's important to know whether it's creditable.
Do you have to pay late enrollment penalty for Medicare Advantage?
Because you had creditable drug coverage before, you won't have to pay a late enrollment penalty for the Part D portion of your plan.
What is creditable coverage?
The most common type of creditable coverage is a large employer group plan. Meaning, a company that employs 20 or more people. When working for an employer, you likely receive health coverage through the company. If the company you work for has more than 20 employees, you have creditable coverage for Medicare.
How does a notice of creditable coverage work?
The Notice of Creditable Coverage works as proof that you obtained coverage elsewhere when you first became eligible for Medicare. Your Notice of Creditable Coverage comes in the mail each year for those who obtain drug coverage through an employer or union.
Is VA coverage creditable?
VA benefits are only creditable coverage under Part D. VA benefits are NOT creditable under Part A and Part B. This is something that is HIGHLY miscommunicated to veterans. Even if you have medical coverage under the VA, there are still many reasons to enroll in Medicare coverage to work with your VA benefits.
Is Medicare coverage good for 2021?
Updated on July 12, 2021. Coverage that’s as good as Medicare is creditable coverage, meaning the plan benefits are up to the same standards as Medicare. When a person has creditable coverage, they may postpone enrollment in Medicare. Creditable coverage allows beneficiaries to delay enrolling without worrying about being late enrollment penalties.
Is Part D a creditable plan?
A plan is creditable for Part D as long as it meets four qualifications. Pays at least 60% of the prescription cost. Covers both brand-name and generic medications. Offers a variety of pharmacies. Does not have an annual benefit cap amount, or has a low deductible.
Is FEHB considered creditable?
No, FEHB is NOT considered creditable coverage. However, some beneficiaries choose to still delay enrolling in Medicare when they have FEHB benefits. Some may find the FEHB benefits to be more cost-effective and vice versa.
What is creditable coverage?
The takeaway. Creditable coverage refers to health insurance that covers at least as much as — or more than — Medicare. If you have creditable coverage, you may choose to keep it instead of or in addition to Medicare.
How long do you have to sign up for Medicare if you lose your credit?
If you lose your creditable coverage, you must sign up for Medicare within 8 months; otherwise, penalties and late fees may apply. If you’re eligible for Medicare but already have health insurance, you may be wondering whether you should keep it or switch.
What happens if you lose your Medicare?
If you lose your current coverage, this triggers a special enrollment period during which you can sign up for Medicare without penalty. If you don’t have creditable insurance coverage and delay signing up for Medicare, late fees and penalties may apply.
What happens if you enroll in Medicare and keep your insurance?
If you enroll in Medicare, have creditable coverage, and keep your insurance, your current provider would be your primary insurer. Medicare would be your secondary insurer. You may decide to let your current insurance lapse.
How long do you have to enroll in Medicare if you lose your current coverage?
If you lose your current coverage, you should enroll in Medicare within 8 months. This is known as a special enrollment period.
What is Cobra insurance?
COBRA (Continuation of Health Coverage). COBRA is designed to prolong your health insurance coverage if you’re no longer employed. It isn’t creditable coverage for original Medicare but may be creditable coverage for Part D.
How much is the late enrollment fee for Medicare Part B?
For Part B, you’ll be required to pay a late enrollment fee of an extra 10 percent of your monthly premium amount for each 12-month period you didn’t sign up. This penalty lasts for as long as you have Medicare Part B coverage.
What Is Creditable Coverage?
Creditable coverage is health insurance that meets or exceeds the drug coverage benefits provided by Medicare. 1 You’ll often hear this term associated with Medicare Part D, which is prescription drug coverage.
How Creditable Coverage Works
Creditable coverage is health insurance not provided through Medicare that meets or exceeds the coverage Medicare provides. You may already have a plan through your employer, union, or another source that’s considered creditable—or you may be eligible to sign up for one.
The Bottom Line
If you are eligible for Medicare and have prescription drug coverage from a different source, your insurance company must send you a notice each year. This notice explains whether or not your current plan is considered creditable coverage.
