Mr. Johannsen, who is entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B and receives the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS or Extra Help), qualifies for a special enrollment period (SEP) for Medicare Part D. This SEP allows him to enroll in or disenroll from a Part D plan at any time, not just during the usual annual enrollment periods. He can use this SEP once during that period to make changes to his Part D coverage, including switching plans or dropping coverage if he chooses
. The Low-Income Subsidy program helps beneficiaries with limited income and resources by reducing or eliminating Part D premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Beneficiaries who qualify for LIS are automatically ensured access to Part D coverage and are subject to automatic enrollment protections if they fail to enroll initially
. In summary:
- Mr. Johannsen has continuous special enrollment rights for Part D due to his LIS status.
- He can enroll in a Part D plan or switch/disenroll from one at any time during this special enrollment period.
- This flexibility helps ensure that low-income beneficiaries can maintain or adjust their prescription drug coverage as needed without waiting for the general enrollment periods
This arrangement supports low-income beneficiaries in managing their prescription drug coverage effectively.
