Several churches accept the concept of universal health care coverage and are supportive of Medicare. If your church is one of them, it most likely sponsors group health plans for church staff - which means this article is for you.

Medicare Part D is a program that helps eligible individuals pay for outpatient prescription drugs. This coverage is provided by Medicare-approved insurance companies and sponsors. Every year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose whether their health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable.

Your church will need to provide an annual disclosure notice to your church staff before October 15, 2020 - which is the start date of enrollment for Medicare Part D. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has helpfully provided templates for the disclosure notices on their website that you can use.

This notice is important for the people who serve your church. If they are not covered by creditable drug coverage or forget to enrol in Medicare Part D early on in the enrollment season, they will face high premiums - and who would want to empty out their wallets for much needed medication? 

Of course, there are no penalties for not putting out the disclosure notices; but your staff would suffer the consequences. As a church, this gesture would show you care about their spiritual as well as physical well-being. 

If you have any concerns about sponsoring health plans or are new to the whole concept, Carriage Trade Insurance is here for you. Talk to their insurance experts and put your insurance worries to rest.