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<nobr>May 20, 2005</nobr>
CMS Releases New Medicare Documents
CMS Releases Two Documents Regarding The Medicare Part D Drug Benefit: - Employer Group Application Timeline For CMS Waivers
- Employer-Only Plan Formulary Submission Q & A Document
The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) provides employers and unions with a number of options for providing prescription drug coverage to their Medicare-eligible retirees. Under Part D of the MMA, those options include making special arrangements with Medicare Advantage plans (MA-PDs) and Cost Plans to purchase customized benefits, including drug benefits, for their retirees; purchasing benefits from sponsors of prescription drug-only plans (PDPs); and contracting with CMS to become Part D plan sponsors themselves (direct contract arrangements). Each of these approaches involve a retiree group application process which incorporates the use of CMS waivers authorized under Section 1857(i) and 1860D-22(b) of the Social Security Act. On May 19, 2005, CMS published a memorandum that describes CMS’ timeframe for review and approval of these retiree group applications. A copy of this document can be downloaded from http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/pdbma/employer.asp.
In addition, on May 19, 2005, CMS posted an Employer-only Plan Formulary Submission Questions and Answers document which can also be downloaded at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/pdbma/employer.asp.
Please contact Edwina Rogers at 202-789-1400 or erogers@eric.org if you have a question about the latest CMS document release.
Edwina Rogers
Vice President, Health Policy
The ERISA Industry Committee
1400 L Street, N.W., Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 789-1400
Cell (202) 674-7800
Fax (202) 789-1120
e-mail: erogers@eric.org
www.eric.org
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