SB 946 Prescription Drug Coverage for State Retirees Eligible for a Prescription Drug Benefit Plan Under Medicare – DBM Update
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The current State-provided prescription drug plan will end on December 31, 2024.
THE STATE OF MARYLAND'S PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE
FOR RETIREES IS CHANGING ON JANUARY 1, 2025.
CURRENT STATE-PROVIDED PRESCRIPTION DRUG
COVERAGE PLAN WILL END ON DECEMBER 31, 2024.
The Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 946 in the 2019 Session. This bill provides for the following new programs for State retirees eligible for a prescription drug benefit plan under Medicare. The Department of Budget and Management is now required to implement the law and the various prescription drug programs created by Senate Bill 946.
The State of Maryland began notifying retirees about the upcoming change in January 2024.
For more information about this change and to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please visit the
Retirees website
The Department of Budget and Management is providing the following clarifications regarding eligibility requirements for the various prescription drug programs created by Senate Bill 946.
Maryland State Retiree Prescription Drug Coverage Program
- Ended State service on or before 12/31/2019 and retired
on or before1/1/2020
- Must enroll in a prescription drug benefit plan under Medicare at the time of enrollment in the Maryland State Retiree Prescription Drug Coverage Program
- Must qualify to enroll and participate in the health insurance benefit options established under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program in accordance with §2-508 or §2-509 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses over $1,500 for retiree only/$2,000 for retiree and family
Maryland State Retiree Catastrophic Prescription Drug Assistance Plan
- Hired on or before 6/30/11, ended State Service on or after 1/1/20, and retired
after
1/1/2020
- Must enroll in a prescription drug benefit plan under Medicare at the time of enrollment in the Maryland State Retiree Catastrophic Prescription Drug Assistance Program
- Must qualify to enroll and participate in the health insurance benefit options established under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program in accordance with §2-508 or §2-509 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses once the individual reaches the catastrophic phase of a prescription drug benefit plan under Medicare
Maryland State Retiree Life-Sustaining Prescription Drug Assistance Program
- Applies automatically when the retiree is enrolled in either of the plans above
- Certain prescriptions covered by State's employee prescription drug plan and not covered by Medicare
For questions or concerns related to Retiree Health Benefits, please email
EBD.Mail@maryland.gov or call 410.767.4775.
