CMS Issues Medicare Part D Marketing Guidelines

Summary

Action:

On August 15, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued Medicare Part D Marketing Guidelines for prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans under the new Part D benefit.

Impact:

The Marketing Guidelines establish the rules that Part D plans must follow when promoting their prescription drug plans to Medicare beneficiaries, and contain specific requirements for how plans may conduct advertising campaigns to persuade beneficiaries to join.

Effective Date:

Immediately. Organizations that comply with the CMS Marketing Guidelines may begin releasing marketing materials on October 1, 2005. Beneficiaries will start to enroll in prescription drug plans beginning November 15, 2005.