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CMS Announces Elimination of 2008 Late Enrollment Penalty for Low-IncomeSubsidy Eligible Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Acting Administrator Kerry Weems announced the elimination of the 2008 late enrollment penalty for any beneficiary eligible for the low income subsidy of the Medicare prescription drug program. Medicare beneficiaries who qualify for the low-income subsidy for Medicare prescription drug coverage may enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan with no penalty through December 31, 2008.
Originally, this payment demonstration, as announced on June 14, 2006, allowed certain Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan through December 31, 2006 with no late enrollment penalty. In January 2007, this payment demonstration was amended to include beneficiaries who are eligible for the low-income subsidy and enroll in Medicare Part D in 2007. To continue to encourage the enrollment of low-income beneficiaries, CMS has amended this payment demonstration to also include low-income subsidy eligible beneficiaries who enroll in Medicare Part D in 2008.
Originally, this payment demonstration, as announced on June 14, 2006, allowed certain Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan through December 31, 2006 with no late enrollment penalty. In January 2007, this payment demonstration was amended to include beneficiaries who are eligible for the low-income subsidy and enroll in Medicare Part D in 2007. To continue to encourage the enrollment of low-income beneficiaries, CMS has amended this payment demonstration to also include low-income subsidy eligible beneficiaries who enroll in Medicare Part D in 2008.
