CMS Identifies Key Drug Coverage Points to Administrators

Important Points to Remember

√ On January 1, 2006, new prescription drug coverage will be available to your Medicare residents. It will cover brand name and generic drugs.

√ Starting January 1, 2006, state Medicaid programs will no longer provide drug coverage for people also covered by Medicare.

√ All Medicaid beneficiaries who are eligible to receive benefits through both Medicare and Medicaid must enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to get continuous coverage of their prescription drug costs.

√ If Medicaid beneficiaries who are eligible to receive benefits through both Medicare and Medicaid do not enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan by December 31, 2005, Medicare will enroll them in a plan automatically to make sure they do not miss a day of coverage.

√ Medicaid beneficiaries who live in a nursing home will pay nothing out of their pocket for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

√ If your Medicare patients ask you questions about the new coverage, you can refer them to 1-800-MEDICARE and to http://www.medicare.gov for additional information and assistance.