Most GIC Enrollees Should Not Enroll in Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Reminders and Warnings

For most GIC Medicare enrollees, the drug coverage you currently have through your GIC health plan is a better value than the federal Medicare Part D drug plans being offered.  Therefore, most individuals should not enroll in a federal Medicare drug plan.  

• A “Notice of Creditable Coverage” is in your plan handbook.  It provides proof that you have comparable or better coverage than Medicare Part D.  If you should later enroll in a Medicare drug plan because of changed circumstances, you must show the Notice of Creditable Coverage to the Social Security Administration to avoid paying a penalty.  Keep this notice with your important papers.
• If you have limited income and assets, the Social Security Administration offers help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage; this may be the one instance where signing up for a Medicare Part D plan may work for you.  Help is available online or by phone at 1.800.772.1213.
• If you are a member of one of our Medicare Advantage plans (Fallon Senior Plan and Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred), your plan automatically includes Medicare Part D coverage.  If you enroll in another Medicare Part D drug plan, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will automatically dis-enroll you from your GIC Medicare Advantage health plan, which means you will no longer have a Medicare plan through the GIC.

This information provided by the Group Insurance Commission.