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October 1, 2008 - Medicare Part D
Prescription Drug plan Marketing Activities can begin
for the 2009 Part D plans - At this time you will be
able to once again gather information and evaluate the
various Part D plan alternatives.
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Please note, no enrollments may be
accepted before November 15, 2008 for 2009 plans.
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November 15 to December 31, 2008 -
Annual Coordinated Election Period - Here is your chance
to join a Medicare Part D plan for the 2009 plan year
(however your plan will not take effect until January 1,
2009 ). If you already have a Medicare Part D plan, this
is your time to look back over 2008 and make an
enrollment decision for your coverage for 2009. Should
you stay with your existing coverage or make a change?
If you make no decision, you will remain in the same
plan as you elected in 2008. There is no enrollment
required to renew your present coverage. Don't wait
until the last minute to make your decision! People who
wait until the end of December also wait into January
for the arrival of their Welcome Information. Bottom
Line: Don't wait until the end of December to make your
enrollment decision. (If you do not enroll during this
period, your next chance for coverage is January 2010.)
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January 1, 2009 - Your new Medicare
Part D plan becomes effective and you will be able to
begin using your Part D benefits (your old plan will
automatically be discontinued).
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January 1 to March 31, 2009 -
Coordinating Special Enrollment Period (or SEP) - This
special period is available for those people who
enrolled into a Medicare Advantage Plan with
Prescription Drug coverage (MA-PDs) and now wish to
disenroll back to original Medicare coverage and a
Prescription Drug Plan. As noted by CMS: "PDPs must
accept enrollments for individuals enrolled in a MA-PD
plan and who choose to elect Original Medicare during
the MA OEP that occurs from January 1 through March 31,
2009. Since MA rules require these individuals to
maintain prescription drug coverage, they MUST enroll in
a PDP to accompany Original Medicare. This SEP allows
MA-PD enrollees to enroll in a PDP and is limited to 1
enrollment."
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January 1 to December 31, 2009 -
Persons turning 65 can enroll in a 2009 Medicare Part D
Plan. Medicaid recipients can enroll or change their
enrollment in a 2009 Medicare Part D Plan.
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