CMS Will Expand Automatic Enrollment in Medicare Drug Benefit
CMS on Monday posted a statement on its Web site saying it will automatically enroll an additional 1.2 million beneficiaries in the Medicare prescription drug benefit if they do not take action to enroll on their own by April 30, CQ HealthBeat reports.
According to CQ HealthBeat, CMS plans to automatically enroll several groups of beneficiaries who qualify for a low-income subsidy under the drug benefit. One group includes beneficiaries who applied for the subsidy and were approved but have not signed up for a Medicare drug plan. A second group includes beneficiaries who are enrolled in other federal assistance programs -- including the Medicare Savings Program and the Supplemental Security Income program -- that likely would qualify them for the low-income subsidy.
CMS will send letters this week notifying the beneficiaries that they will be automatically enrolled in a plan if they do not sign up for a plan on their own by April 30. Beneficiaries who receive the letters also have the option to decline enrollment altogether, CQ HealthBeat reports (CQ HealthBeat, 3/21).