Date | Implementation Activity |
January 1 – March 31, 2005 | Low-income beneficiaries enrolling in Medicare drug discount card program this quarter receive full-year $600 subsidy for 2005 (subsidy pro-rated for part-year enrollment for remainder of 2005) |
January 2005 | CMS launches “awareness” phase of message campaign for drug benefit |
February 18, 2005 | Deadline for “Notice of Intent to Apply” from standalone PDPs, new MA contractors, and regional PPOs |
March 2005 | CMS issues guidance for employers on retiree creditable coverage |
March 1, 2005 | Deadline for current MA contractors to submit a request for a special needs plan |
March 15, 2005 | SSA pilot mailing of low-income subsidy applications to 2,050 beneficiaries in 42 zip codes |
March 23, 2005 | Deadline for PDPs, MA-PDs, and cost contractors to submit Part D applications |
March 23, 2005 | Deadline for “Notice of Intent to Apply” from employers or unions directly contracting as a PDP or MA-PD |
March 28 – April 18, 2005 | CMS accepts CY 2006 formularies from PDPs and MA-PDs |
April 2005 | Information on low-income subsidy eligibility published on Medicare.gov |
April 4, 2005 | CMS announces MA capitation rates, MA local area benchmarks and adjustment factors for 2006 |
April 18, 2005 | Deadline for employers to submit PDP or MA-PD applications |
April 30, 2005 | CMS releases letter with 2006 enrollment and payment instructions and releases instructions to states on how to process state eligibility determinations |
May 31, 2005 | CMS begins sending mailings to low-income subsidy-eligible beneficiaries and dual eligibles |
June 1, 2005 | Deadline for CMS to approve PDP plan applications and MA service area expansions |
June 6, 2005 | Deadline for submitting PDP and MA-PD bids to CMS |
June 6, 2005 | Deadline for employers to submit formularies to CMS |
June 20 – 30, 2005 | CMS mails informational letter to dual eligibles regarding transition to Medicare plans |
June 30, 2005 | CMS distributes CY 2006 summary of benefits instructions to MA contractors |
June 31, 2005 | Deadline for CMS to pre-qualify bidders from eligible fallback entities for plans starting in 2006 |
July 2005 | CMS launches “discussion” phase of message campaign |
July 1, 2005 | Medicaid and SSA begin processing applications for low-income subsidies |
July 1, 2005 | Deadline for CMS to establish requirements and procedures for coordination between Part D plans and SPAPs and other insurers (Medicaid, group health plans, FEHBP, TRICARE) |
August 3, 2005 | CMS releases national average monthly bid amount and calls for reallocation of rebates for MA-PDs (if needed) |
August 3 – September 30, 2005 | CMS accepts retiree drug subsidy applications from employers and unions |
| August 2005 | SSA begins sending decisions to those who applied for low-income subsidies |
September 14, 2005 (tentative) | CMS approves bids for PDPs and MA-PDs |
| September 15, 2005 | PDP and MA-PD contracts signed |
September 16 – November 15, 2005 | Medigap issuers send written disclosures to policyholders with drug coverage informing them of their options |
September 30, 2005 | Deadline for plan sponsors to submit to CMS attestation of actuarial equivalence |
September 30, 2005 | Deadline for plan sponsors to apply for retiree drug subsidy payment for 2006 |
October 1, 2005 | Approved Part D plans begin marketing |
October 1, 2005 | Deadline for transfer of Medicare appeals from SSA to DHHS |
October 13, 2005 | CMS begins disseminating information comparing available Part D coverage to beneficiaries via mail with the Medicare & You handbook, 1-800-MEDICARE, and Plan Comparison Web Tool and Medicare Personal Plan Finder on Medicare.gov |
October 15, 2005 | Deadline for Secretary to notify states of their annual per capita drug payment amounts (“clawback”) for 2006 |
October 21, 2005 | CMS announces decision on retiree drug subsidy applications |
October 27 – November 10, 2005 | CMS mails auto-enrollment information to dual eligibles |
November 15, 2005 –
May 15, 2006 | Coordinated election period for 2006 Part D enrollment for all beneficiaries |
November 15, 2005 – May 15, 2006 | States and entities offering drug coverage provide written disclosure to Part D eligible individuals regarding actuarial equivalence |
December 31, 2005 | Medicaid drug coverage ends for full benefit dual eligibles |
December 31, 2005 | Medicare drug discount card program ends |
January 1, 2006 | Part D coverage begins for all beneficiaries enrolled in a plan Dual eligibles' auto-enrollment takes effect Low-income subsidies for Part D coverage begin Medigap insurers prohibited from selling new policies with drug coverage
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January 1, 2006 – December 2007 | Moratorium on formation of new local Medicare PPOs |
January 1 – June 30, 2006 | Open enrollment period for MA-eligible individuals (during which they can change plans once) |
January 1 – June 30, 2006 | CMS launches “urgency” phase of message campaign |
| February 25, 2005 | States begin making monthly "clawback" payments to federal government for dual eligibles |
February 28, 2006 | Retiree drug subsidy payments begin |
March 2006 | CMS identifies all beneficiaries not enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan |
April 2006 | CMS mails spring enrollment reminder to beneficiaries |
| April – May 2006 | CMS facilitates enrollment in a prescription drug plan for those determined to be eligible for low-income subsidies but have not yet enrolled in a plan |
| May 15, 2006 | End of coordinated election period for 2006 Part D enrollment |
| June 1, 2006 | Coverage begins for low-income subsidy eligible beneficiaries who were assigned to a prescription drug plan by CMS |
October 15, 2006 | Deadline for Secretary to notify states of their annual per capita drug payment amounts (“clawback”) for 2007 |
November 15, 2006 | States and entities offering drug coverage provide written disclosures to Part D eligible individuals regarding actuarial equivalence |
November 15 – December 31, 2006 | Annual coordinated election period for 2007 Part D enrollment for all beneficiaries |
