The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the 30-day transitional coverage period for Medicare Part D has been extended for 60 more days. This will provide greater flexibility for patients who get medications through a Part D plan.
According to Health and Human Services Secretary Leavitt, Medicare will notify Part D plans that 60 more days will be added to the 30-day transitional coverage period that began January 1st. This means that plans will continue to cover Medicare beneficiaries’ current medications, WHETHER OR NOT THE DRUGS ARE ON THE FORMULARY, until the extended transitional period is over. The 60 day extension will give beneficiaries time to work with their physicians to get prior authorizations or different medications or exemptions from the plans. Note that the extension ends for all on March 31st- so those who join on March 1st or later will revert to the original 30-day transition period.
The action steps that Medicare is taking, includes (among other things):
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- Adapted from: “CMS 30-day transitional coverage period for Medicare Part D has been extended”, e-mail from, Kathleen Kehoe, MPH, Phs Comm Benefits, February 3, 2006; HHS Press Office Press Release: February 1, 2006 “Secretary Leavitt Issues One-Month Progress Report On Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit” and “New Fact Sheet Available on Extension of Transitional Drug Coverage Period” e-mail from Katie Kehoe, MPH, Phs Comm Benefits, February 24, 2006”
02/06