2024 Archdiocese of Atlanta / Lay Employee Quick Guide - Flipbook - Page 37
Important Notice from The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta About Your
Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has
information about your current prescription drug coverage with The Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Atlanta and about your options under Medicare’s prescription drug
coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a
Medicare drug plan. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current
coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of
the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Information about
where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the
end of this notice.
There are two important things you need to know about your current coverage and
Medicare’s prescription drug coverage:
1. Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with
Medicare. You can get this coverage if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or
join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug
coverage. All Medicare drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set by
Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium.
2. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta has determined that the prescription drug
coverage offered by the Health Benefits Plan, is on average for all plan participants,
expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays
and is therefore considered Creditable Coverage. Because your existing coverage is
Creditable Coverage, you can keep this coverage and not pay a higher premium
(a penalty) if you later decide to join a Medicare drug plan.
When Can You Join A Medicare Drug Plan?
You can join a Medicare drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare and each year
from October 15th through December 7th.
However, if you lose your current creditable prescription drug coverage, through no fault of
your own, you will also be eligible for a two (2) month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to join
a Medicare drug plan.
What Happens To Your Current Coverage If You Decide to Join A Medicare Drug Plan?
If you decide to join a Medicare drug plan, your current The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Atlanta coverage may be affected.
If you do decide to join a Medicare drug plan and drop your current The Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Atlanta coverage, be aware that you and your dependents may not be able to get
this coverage back.
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