[Nfbmo] An Important Blind Pension Letter

[Eugene S Coulter]

Greetings,
Below and attached please find a letter scheduled to be mailed to Blind Pension recipients this Friday. This is a draft so some minor changes may yet be made. When the print letter is mailed there will be three enclosures :
*         Creditable coverage letter
*         Medicare Part D Enrollment Form
*         Enrollment authorization form that a participant may fill out if they wish for MO HealthNet to enroll in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan on their behalf.
I send this out now so that all of us can make plans and clarify in our own minds what to do. Enrollment begins October 15 and I urge everyone to enroll as early in the process as possible to avoid complications.
Gene Coulter






October 3, 2014





Dear Blind Pension Participant:



You recently received a letter from the Department of Social Services (DSS) notifying you that if you are a blind pension participant and enrolled in Medicare, beginning January 2015, your prescription costs will be paid by a Medicare Part D benchmark plan before they are paid by the State.  This letter provides you with instructions on what to do and resources to assist you with enrolling in a  Medicare Part D benchmark plan.  You will not have to pay Medicare Part D premiums or additional out-of-pocket copays for prescriptions. 



Medicare Part D benchmark plans are prescription drug plans that offer coverage at or below a federally-established premium amount and are typically large, national plans.  2015 Medicare Part D benchmark plans are



·       AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP)  

·       Aetna Medicare Rx Saver (PDP)        

·       Humana Preferred Rx Plan (PDP)      

·       SilverScript Choice (PDP)      

·       SmartD Rx Saver (PDP)         

·       Symphonix Value Rx (PDP)

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins October 15 and runs through December 7. During that time you should take one of the following actions.  



·       If you are enrolled in Medicare and not enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan

1.       Enroll in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan during open enrollment 

2.       Complete the enclosed enrollment form 

3.       Fax the completed form to (573) 522-8514 or email a scanned copy to PartDQuestions at dss.mo.gov.     

·       If you are enrolled in Medicare and currently enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan

1.       Make sure your Medicare Part D plan is a benchmark plan for 2015 (see above for a list of benchmark plans). 

2.       If you are not enrolled in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan, enroll in a benchmark plan during open enrollment

3.       Complete the enclosed enrollment form  

4.       Fax the completed form to (573) 522-8514 or email a scanned copy to PartDQuestions at dss.mo.gov.     

·       If you are enrolled in Medicare and have employer-sponsored or other third-party insurance other than Blind Pension MO HealthNet

1.       You do not need to enroll in a Part D plan 

2.       Complete the enclosed form with information on your employer-sponsored or other third-party insurance coverage    

3.       Fax the completed form to (573) 522-8514 or email a scanned copy to PartDQuestions at dss.mo.gov.     



When enrolling in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan you will need to provide 

·       Your MO HealthNet card

·       Your Medicare card

·       Your Creditable Coverage letter included in this packet

·       A photo ID; and 

·       A current list of your medications.  

These items are needed regardless of how you enroll; information on enrollment assistance follows.





Resources to help you enroll in a Medicare Part D plan 



·       MO HealthNet Division. You may return the enclosed authorization form allowing the MO HealthNet Division to enroll you in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan. Send the completed authorization form to DSS using the contact information on the authorization form. 

·       CLAIM (Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri), the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, by calling 1-800-390-3330.  A trained counselor can provide free education and assistance in choosing a Medicare Part D benchmark plan. 



·       Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Missouri has ten AAA that are ready to assist you with your enrollment in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan.  You can visit www.moaging.com to find your local agency or call 1-855-731-0022 for help locating an agency in your area. 



·       Your local pharmacy. Your local pharmacy can assist you with enrolling in a Medicare Part D benchmark plan. 



If you choose to work with CLAIM, AAA, your local pharmacy or another entity, please ensure they complete and send the enclosed enrollment form on your behalf.



Questions?



For general questions related to this change, you can send an email to PartDQuestions at dss.mo.gov or call toll-free 1-855-731-0022.



For questions about your creditable coverage letter call (573) 751-6963.




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