|
Effective: February 1, 2009 |
|
|
04.40.20.05 - Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans (Archive) |
Archived: December 1, 2009 |
This section lists health plans providing Medicare Part D which are considered Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans for the applicable year.
l Clients enrolled in a benchmark plan may or may not be receiving Extra Help . See Medicare Part D for more information on the Extra Help subsidy.
l Determine if clients enrolled in a benchmark plan are receiving Extra Help.
l Do not use the premium amount or cost-sharing amounts paid by Extra Help as a medical expense or Medicare premium deduction for a spenddown or LTC income calculation. See MA/GAMC and Medicare Part D for more information.
l See Medicare Part D Cost-Sharing Amounts for information on the benchmark premium amount and other Part D cost-sharing amounts.
2009 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans.
2008 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans.
2008 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans Not Available in 2009.
2009 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans
The following are the Medicare Part D benchmark plans for 2009:
l Aetna Medicare Rx Essentials.
l BCBS MedicareBlue Rx Option 1.
l Community CCRx Basic.
l First Health Part D-Premier.
l HealthSpring Prescription Drug Plan.
l Prescriba RX Bronze.
l SilverScript Value.
l Unicare MedicareRx Rewards Standard.
l United Healthcare AARP Medicare Rx Saver.
2008 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans
The following are the Medicare Part D benchmark plans for 2008:
l Aetna Medicare Rx Essentials.
l BCBS MedicareBlue Rx Option 1.
l Community CCRx Basic.
l Fox Value Plan.
l Health Net Orange Option 1.
l HealthSpring Prescription Drug Plan.
l Humana PDP Standard.
l Medco Medicare Prescription Plan - Value.
l Prescription Pathway Bronze Plan.
l RxAmerica Advantage Star Plan.
l SilverScript.
l Sterling Rx.
l Unicare MedicareRx Rewards Standard.
l Unicare MedicareRx Rewards Value.
l United Healthcare AARP Medicare Rx Saver.
l WellCare Classic.
2008 Benchmark Plans Not Available in 2009
Some 2008 benchmark plans will not be benchmark plans in 2009. They include:
l Fox Value Plan.
l Health Net Orange Option 1.
Humana PDP Standard.
l Medco Medicare Prescription Plan - Value.
l Prescription Pathway Bronze Plan.
l RxAmerica Advantage Star Plan.
l Sterling Rx.
l Unicare MedicareRx Rewards Value.
l WellCare Classic.
Some people enrolled in these plans may be required to pay a premium if they stay in the non-benchmark plan. The rules for which plans meet benchmark qualifications are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) . One factor is whether the Part D plan's premium is equal to or within a few dollars of the regional Extra Help subsidy amount.
Full-benefit dual eligibles who were randomly assigned and enrolled in a benchmark plan by CMS may be reassigned to a new randomly-chosen benchmark plan by CMS, if their plan is no longer a benchmark plan.