Reminder: March 1 Deadlines

For employers and other sponsors of group health plans, March 1 brings two annual deadlines.

MEDICARE PART D: Creditable Coverage Notice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

If an employer group health plan provides prescription drug coverage to anyone who is enrolled in Medicare, the employer must notify CMS as to whether the coverage is "creditable" or "non-creditable." The notification is due within 60 days after the end of the plan year—by March 1 for calendar-year plans.

• The rule applies if any person covered by the plan is enrolled in Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B, and lives within the service area of a Medicare Part D plan.
• It does not matter whether the person is enrolled in Medicare on the basis of age or disability.