Dual Eligibles Auto-Assigned to Part D
Plans
Full-benefit dual-eligible individuals (people with Medicare who are
currently receiving Medicaid prescription drug benefits) have been automatically
assigned into qualifying low cost prescription drug plans. After December 31,
these patients will not be able to fill most of their prescription drugs under
state Medicaid -- they must use Medicare Part D. The qualifying Part D plans
will notify these patients of their assignment status prior to January 1 via
mail.
This auto-assignment and subsequent auto-enrollment process was created so that these dual-eligibles do not experience a gap in drug coverage as they are transitioned from Medicaid to Medicare. However, these auto-assigned plans do not have to be the patient’s eventual Part D plan. These beneficiaries will be able to change plans if they do not like the plan into which they were auto-assigned before Jan. 1, 2006 and every 30 days thereafter.