Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Medicare beneficiaries who have other sources of drug coverage – through a current or former employer or union, for example – may stay in that plan and choose not to enroll in the Medicare drug plan. If their other coverage is at least as good as the new Medicare drug benefit (and therefore considered "creditable coverage"), then beneficiaries may continue to get the high quality care they have now as well as avoid higher payments later if they sign up for the Medicare drug benefit. Eligible members who forego Part D enrollment when first available and who do not have creditable prescription drug coverage for any period of 63 days or longer will likely have to pay a higher Part D premium of one percent (1%) per month for late enrollment.

No. CMS has created a simplified Creditable Coverage Determination that allows the employer to identify creditable coverage status without the attestation of an accredited actuary. However, you will require the services of an actuary if your company decides to apply for the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS).

Employers must provide creditable or non-creditable coverage notice to all Medicare eligible individuals who are covered under, or who apply for, the entity's prescription drug plan (Part D eligibles), whether active employees or retirees, at least once a year. This notice need not be a separate mailing and may be included with other plan participant informational materials or through electronic means. Please remember, employers are required to provide this notice even if they choose not to apply for the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS). In addition, employers are required to provide CMS with their plan's creditable or non-creditable coverage status annually.

Member notices for ASO clients

Optum does not create or modify member notices.  The employer can provide a copy of the pre-written notice or letter to UHG, and UHG will print and mail notices to members for a fee.  

CMS provides model notices (templates) that employers can use the information posted on the CMS site.

This option is for ASO clients. Clients must write their own letter and clear it through their legal team.  Optum will copy the letters and send them out via US mail for a fee per letter.   A fee may be charged for this service.

Self-funded customers may pay UnitedHealthcare to send creditable coverage notices to their members on their behalf.

• Clients must write their own letter and clear it through their legal team. Optum will copy the letters and send them out via US mail for a fee per letter. The fee will be charged against the ASO GL string.
  • CMS provides model notices (templates) that employers can use: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/CreditableCoverage/Model-Notice-Letters.html

Note: UHC account teams work with broker or customer as follows:

• Once the notice has been drafted, the account management team or sales team should contact UHG print services (Jennifer Easler) with a specific estimate of number of employees and sheet count based on the employer’s letter (example: 2 sheets to 100 members).
• A cost estimate will be provided as well as next steps.
• Once pricing is provided/approved, the account team is directed to the intake link where they upload the document to be mailed, a return address (for undeliverable mail) and a GL Code (for charge back purposes).

Employer plan sponsors are required by CMS to provide creditable coverage status to Part D eligible members at least once a year and at the following times:

• Prior to an individual's initial enrollment period;
• Prior to the effective date of coverage for any Medicare-eligible individual that joins your plan;
• Whenever prescription drug coverage ends or changes so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable;
• Prior to the Medicare Part D Annual Coordinated Election Period beginning on October 15 of each year; or
• Upon the request of a beneficiary.

Creditable coverage notification must be provided to all Part D eligible individuals who are covered under or apply for your company's prescription drug benefits plan. This requirement applies to Medicare beneficiaries who are active employees and those who are retired, as well as Medicare beneficiaries who are covered as spouses under active or retiree coverage.

Yes.  You must provide a disclosure to CMS on an annual basis, via an online form. Creditable coverage status may change from one year to the next because the standard Part D benefit may change in the future.  CMS requires that the disclosure be provided within:

• 60 days after the beginning date of the Plan Year for which the entity is providing the Disclosure to CMS Form;
• 30 days after the termination of the prescription drug plan; and
• 30 days after any change in the creditable coverage status of the prescription drug plan.

If you have a retiree prescription drug plan and you have determined that your plan is creditable, you can work with our affiliate, OptumInsight, or another actuarial firm to complete additional testing required to determine your eligibility for the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) and the actuarial attestation required for the RDS application. The subsidy is available only for qualified retiree prescription drug plans and will be payable to the plan sponsor. Pursuit of the subsidy may require additional reporting, administrative effort and cost on the part of the employer.

Employers who choose to work with Optum should contact OptumInsight to determine the fees for their services. Your contacts at Optum are:

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Creditable Coverage website www.cms.gov/CreditableCoverage provides complete text of the guidance and model disclosure templates published by CMS, and may be a helpful resource to both employers and their employees. Updates are made regularly, so please check the website often for the most up-to-date information.