Certain Uniformed Services Beneficiaries Entitled To
Medicare To Receive Important Mailings

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) has a provision that directly impacts certain Medicare-TRICARE dual-eligible beneficiaries. It eliminates the Medicare Part B surcharge for uniformed services beneficiaries who were subject to a higher premium (currently paying more than $66.60 a month) for enrolling in Part B during the years 2001 to 2004. Under the MMA, Medicare Part B premiums will be reduced for these beneficiaries to the regular monthly premium rate and beneficiaries will be reimbursed for any surcharges paid in 2004. These refunds will be provided in Social Security retirement checks. In mid-September, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will send a statement that clearly explains these changes.

The legislation also provides the opportunity for uniformed services beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A but are not enrolled in Medicare Part B to enroll in Part B without a premium surcharge. These beneficiaries will be offered the opportunity to enroll in Part B during a Special Enrollment Period.

SSA Special Enrollment Period Notice

The SSA will mail a Special Enrollment Period notice in mid-September 2004 to uniformed services beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A but are not enrolled in Medicare Part B. The notice will explain that the SSA enrolled the beneficiary in Part B effective Sept. 1, 2004. The Part B monthly premium ($66.60) will automatically be deducted from Social Security retirement checks starting Sept. 1, or if beneficiaries do not receive a Social Security check, they will be billed the appropriate amount. The SSA notice includes a form that gives beneficiaries the option to change their Medicare Part B effective date or decline enrollment. Anyone who refuses Part B will be ineligible for TRICARE benefits.

Beneficiaries will have 60 days after the date of the notice to complete and return the form if they choose to change the effective date or decline Part B enrollment. If beneficiaries notify SSA that they are selecting an earlier month in 2004 as the start date for their Part B enrollment and would find it hard to pay the past months' premium amount in a lump sum, they should take the completed form and the SSA letter to a local Social Security office (if they live in the United States, Canada or Mexico) or United States Foreign Service Post for processing and ask about alternative payment options.

Department of Defense (DoD) Letter

Affected beneficiaries will also receive a letter from the Department of Defense (DoD) regarding these changes in the law. The DoD letter will give beneficiaries a heads-up that they will soon be receiving a Special Enrollment Period notice from the SSA. This letter also explains that by law, beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A, whether based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease, must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to retain TRICARE eligibility. Dual-eligible active duty family members are not required to purchase Medicare Part B until their active duty sponsor retires.

DEERS Registration

Uniformed services beneficiaries also must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to remain eligible for TRICARE benefits. Beneficiaries may update their information in DEERS by visiting an identification card issuing facility or by contacting the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (DSO) Telephone Center at (800) 538-9552. To find the nearest identification card issuing facility, beneficiaries may visit www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl.

General Information

For general information about TRICARE benefits, beneficiaries may call Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) TRICARE For Life at 1-866-773-0404 or visit the TRICARE Web site at www.tricare.osd.mil. Additional information regarding the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173) is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/legislation/tricare.html. If beneficiaries have questions about enrolling in Medicare Part B, they may call SSA toll free, at 1-800-772-1213 or visit any Social Security office.