VEChannel Event Profile

The Medicare Part D Drug Benefit Looming Deadlines for Employers

Do you know that as an employer with or even without a retiree health plan you still must prepare for imminent deadlines under the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program? Did you further know that in order to get the retiree drug subsidy offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), you must submit a detailed application by Sept. 30; even employers not seeking a subsidy must issue notices to all Part Deligible beneficiaries active and retired by Nov. 15 telling them whether their current prescription drug coverage is "creditable." On August 11, listen in as two experts in the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program – Kathy Bakich and Kaye Pestaina explain these requirements and other critical Part D issues for group health plans. In this audio conference, Ms. Bakich and Ms. Pestaina will answer the following questions and more: 1. What makes an employers retiree drug coverage "creditable" for purposes of the required notice? 2. What additional elements make the plan "actuarially equivalent" to qualify for the subsidy? 3. What steps are involved in applying to obtain the subsidy? How can CMS decisions concerning the subsidy be appealed? 4. What privacy obligations and other legal liabilities do subsidy recipients take on? 5. Can an HSA, FSA or HRA be creditable or actuarially equivalent? 6. What are employers options for delivering creditable coverage notices? 7. What are the pros and cons of an employer contracting with a Part D plan to provide prescription drugs to retirees? 8. What benefits can a plan sponsor provide to wrap around the Part D program? 9. If CMS denies a subsidy, how can the plan sponsor appeal this decision? Plus, 30 minutes after the presentation will be set aside for an interactive Q&A session. Listen in and get the chance to ask the speakers your specific questions! Who should register?: Health benefit plan administrators Employee benefits professionals Employment and benefits law attorneys Human resource professionals

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