Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act Implementation Timeline: June 2004 – December 2006 Key Dates
Key Implementation Dates for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
This timeline presents important dates and deadlines of key implementation activities related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). It runs from the beginning of 2005 through the end of 2006, the first year of the new Medicare drug benefit. Some of these dates are defined in the MMA statute, while others are from the final rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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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 2005SSA 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, 2005PDP 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
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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
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, 2005States 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 2006CMS facilitates enrollment in a prescription drug plan for those determined to be eligible for low-income subsidies but have not yet enrolled in a planMay 15, 2006
End of coordinated election period for 2006 Part D enrollment
June 1, 2006Coverage 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
Timeline last updated: June 8, 2005