5 THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. You should know
that no matter what happens, you are still covered by the Medicare program.
2. If you are affected
by a plan withdrawal, you will have to make a choice about who provides your health care.
Make sure you have answers to all your questions before you make a decision.
3. While you have
decisions to make, your current managed care plan is required to cover you until December
31, XXXX.
4. Resources are
available to help you make a new health care choice.
5. You will receive
additional information about your available Medicare choices, including the Original
Medicare Plan and protections you have in choosing a Medigap insurance policy to
supplement your Medicare benefits, in September
XXXX.
You may read or hear
about managed care plans leaving the Medicare program in your area. If you are in the
Original Medicare Plan, you are not affected. If you are in a Medicare managed care
plan, you may be affected, but you are still covered by Medicare.
Medicare benefits will
always be available to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare benefits can be delivered either
through the traditional fee-for-service arrangement, known as the Original Medicare Plan,
or in some areas through managed care plans.
If you are affected by a
withdrawal, you will have to make a new health care choice. But for most beneficiaries,
you have time to make a choice. Since changing the way you receive your health care is an
important decision, you may wish to ask those you trust such as family or friends for
help. Special rules may apply when you dis-enroll from a Medicare health plan and return
to the Original Medicare Plan with a supplemental insurance policy (Medigap). If you
or your spouse have health care coverage through a former employer or union, contact a
company representative before you make a new health plan choice. If you have Medicaid
coverage, do not make a new health plan choice until you contact the State Medical
Assistance Office or the State Medicaid Program.
Individuals affected
by a plan withdrawal should receive a letter from their plan in July
XXXX. In addition to
this letter, all beneficiaries affected by a plan withdrawal will receive another letter
from their plan in September XXXX. The September letter will provide you with more
detailed information about your health care options, including information about
Medigap insurance.
We understand that the
withdrawal from Medicare of some managed care plans causes disruption for those enrolled
in these plans. To ease this transition, HCFA is committed to ensuring that beneficiaries
have useful information about Medicare and the rights and protections available to
beneficiaries affected by these plan withdrawals.
To assist
beneficiaries and their caregivers, HCFA established the Medicare Choices Helpline. The
Medicare Choices Helpline can be reached by dialing 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Hearing impaired individuals using a telephone device for the deaf can call 1-877-486-2048
for assistance. This toll-free number is staffed by English and Spanish-speaking customer
service representatives from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time. Customer service
representatives at the Medicare Choices Helpline can:
