Enrollment

Enrollment in Medicare Part D plans is voluntary (except for dual eligibles, as noted above). The initial enrollment period for the new Part D prescription drug benefit runs from November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006 for people who already have Medicare and for those people who become eligible to enroll in Medicare in January 2006. People who become eligible for Medicare in February 2006 have an enrollment period that runs from November 25, 2005 through May 31, 2006. Individuals who become eligible for Medicare after February 2006 have the same seven-month initial enrollment period as the initial enrollment period for Part B of Medicare.

Medicare beneficiaries will generally only be able to change plans during the annual election period between November 15 and December 31 of each year. The change becomes effective in the following year on January 1.

Individuals who delay enrollment after their initial eligibility enrollment period will pay a lifetime premium penalty equal to 1% of the base premium for each month they delay enrollment.

Special Enrollment

Under special circumstances, people with Medicare Part D can change to another PDP or MA-PD plan outside the annual enrollment period. Examples of the Special Enrollment Period are:

1. Dual Eligibles, regardless of where they reside
2. Moving into, residing in or leaving a LTC facility
3. Moving outside of Plan's region
4. Leaving or joining a managed care plan

If an individual elects to change plans, the new plan would become effective the first of the following month. In situations where a new plan is chosen late in a month, it may not become effective until the first of the second month. For example, an individual enrolled in Plan A decides they want to enroll in Plan B on March 26, 2006. Depending on how quickly Plan B processes the application, it may not become effective May 1, 2006.

Assistance with Enrollment

There are various customer advocacy groups that are allowed to provide assistance to Medicare Beneficiaries through the Medicare Part D enrollment process. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, provides links on their web site www.shiptalk.org to counselors that can answer questions and help individuals understand their health care choices, choose a Medicare plan and/or additional health insurance to meet their needs as well as understanding their rights and protections.