|
| Month |
Date |
Year |
Activity |
| July |
1 |
2005 |
Low-income
individuals who want extra help can either apply online at www.medicare.gov or request
that an application be mailed to their home. |
| |
|
|
|
| July |
|
2005 |
A
resource guide produced by CMS titled
Your Guide to Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, is available by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting www.medicare.gov |
| |
|
|
|
| August |
|
2005 |
The
SSA starts to notify low-income applicants that qualified
for extra help. |
| |
|
|
|
| September |
|
2005 |
The
SSA and CMS distribute an initial enrollment package to
Medicare beneficiaries. |
| |
Medigap
insurance companies send notices to policyholders with information
about their drug coverage options |
| |
|
|
|
| October |
|
2005 |
Individuals
enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid receive notices concerning
auto-enrollment in a Medicare drug plan. |
| |
|
|
A
web tool comparing Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) and Medical
Advantage plans (MA) for each region is available at www.medicare.gov
or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. |
| |
|
|
Employers
and unions with a prescription drug plan will notify retirees
of changes to their plan. |
| |
|
|
The
handbook Medicare and You 2006, which provides information about
the changes to Medicare, is mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries. |
| |
|
|
|
| November |
15 |
2005 |
Medicare
beneficiaries can start to enroll in prescription drug plans
by calling the provider directly or dialing 1-800-MEDICARE. |
| |
|
|
|
| December |
31 |
2005 |
The
last day a person can enroll in a prescription drug plan
and still receive coverage on January 1, 2006. |
| |
|
|
|
| January |
1 |
2006 |
Prescription
drug coverage begins. |
| |
|
|
Medicare
drug coverage for individuals automatically enrolled starts. |
| |
|
|
|
| May |
15 |
2006 |
Last
day to enroll in a prescription drug plan without incurring
a late enrollment penalty. |
|
|
|
|
