Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
Important Notice from the Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan 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 Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan (Plan) and prescription drug coverage available for people with Medicare. It also explains the options you have under Medicare prescription drug coverage and can help you decide whether or not you want to enroll. At the end of this notice is information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage.
1. Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with Medicare through Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage Plans that offer prescription drug coverage. All Medicare prescription 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. If you are both eligible for Medicare and you are covered by the Plan other than as a retiree, a surviving spouse, or a dependent of a retiree or a surviving spouse, the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by the Plan is, on average, expected to pay out as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay and is considered Creditable Coverage.
Because your existing coverage is on average at least as good as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can keep this coverage and not pay extra if you later decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Individuals can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan when they first become eligible for Medicare and each year from October 15 through December 7. Beneficiaries leaving employer/union coverage may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan.
You should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered, with the coverage and cost of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area.
If you do decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan and drop your coverage under the Plan, be aware that you and your dependents may not be able to get this coverage back.
Please contact us for more information about what happens to your coverage if you enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. You should also know that if you drop or lose your coverage with the Plan and don't enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage after your current coverage ends, you may pay more (a penalty) to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage later.
If you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that's at least as good as Medicare's prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium will go up at least 1 percent per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go 19 months without coverage, your premium will always be at least 19 percent higher than what many other people pay. You'll have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the following October to enroll.
For more information about this notice or your current prescription drug coverage.
Contact Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, Customer Service at 800-709-7881.
NOTE: You may receive this notice annually and at other times in the future such as before the next period you can enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage, and if this coverage through the Plan changes. You also may request a copy.
For more information about your options under Medicare prescription drug coverage.
More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the "Medicare & You" handbook. You'll get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare prescription drug plans. For more information about Medicare prescription drug plans, go to [www.medicare.gov](http://www.medicare.gov).
Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see your copy of the Medicare & You Handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help.
Call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). TTY users should call 877-486-2048.
For people with limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. Information about this extra help is available from the Social Security Administration (SSA) online at [www.socialsecurity.gov](http://www.socialsecurity.gov), or you call them at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).
Name of Entity/Sender:
Contact - Position/Office: Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Insurance
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi
3545 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39232
Phone Number: 800-709-7881