Reminder: Annual Medicare Part D Disclosure To CMS Due By March 1, 2023 for Calendar Year Plans
Plan sponsors are required to disclose to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable. The disclosure must be made to CMS on an annual basis or upon any change that affects whether the coverage is creditable.
CMS Disclosure Requirements
At a minimum, the CMS creditable coverage disclosure notice must be provided at the following times:
- Within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year for which the entity is providing the form;
- Within 30 days after the termination of the prescription drug plan; and
- Within 30 days after any change in the creditable coverage status of the prescription drug plan.
The deadlines for all plan years beginning in 2023 are set forth in the following table. For plan sponsors with calendar year plans, the deadline to comply with the annual disclosure requirement is March 1, 2023.
Plan Year Begin Date | Disclosure Deadline | Plan Year Begin Date | Disclosure Deadline |
January 1 | March 1 | July 1 | August 29 |
February 1 | April 3 | August 1 | September 29 |
March 1 | May 1 | September 1 | October 30 |
April 1 | May 30 | October 1 | November 29 |
May 1 | June 29 | November 1 | January 2 |
June 1 | July 31 | December 1 | January 29 |
Online Disclosure Method
Plan sponsors are required to use the online disclosure form on the CMS’ creditable coverage website (the disclosure form and instructions are available here and here, respectively). This is the sole method for compliance with the disclosure requirement unless the entity does not have Internet access.
The disclosure form lists the required data fields that must be completed in order to generate the disclosure notice to CMS, such as types of coverage, number of options offered, creditable coverage status, period covered by the disclosure notice, number of Part D-eligible individuals covered, date the creditable coverage disclosure notice is provided to Part D-eligible individuals and change in creditable coverage status. CMS has also provided instructions for detailed descriptions of these data fields and guidance on how to complete the form.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For questions regarding this Legislative Update or any other related compliance issues, please contact your Burnham Benefits Consultant or Burnham Benefits at 949‐833‐2983 or inquiries@burnhambenefits.com.
This Legislative Update was prepared by the Baldwin Regulatory Compliance Collaborative (the “BRCC”), a partnership of compliance professionals offering client support and compliance solutions for the benefit of the Baldwin Risk Partners organization, which includes: Jason Sheffield, BRP National Director of Compliance; Richard Asensio, Burnham Benefits Insurance Services; Nicole L. Fender, the Capital Group; Bill Freeman, AHT Insurance; Stephanie Hall, RBA/TBA; Caitlin Hillenbrand, AHT Insurance; Paul Van Brunt, Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners (BKS); and Natashia Wright, Insgroup.
Burnham Benefits and the BRCC do not engage in the practice of law and this publication should not be construed as the providing of legal advice or a legal opinion of any kind. The consulting advice we provide is intended solely to assist in assessing its compliance with applicable federal and state law requirements, and is based on our interpretation of federal guidance in effect as of the date of this publication. To the best of our knowledge, the information provided herein, and assumptions relied on, are reasonable and accurate as of the date of this publication. Furthermore, to ensure compliance with IRS Circular 230, any tax advice contained in this publication is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of (i) avoiding penalties imposed under the United States Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any tax-related matter.