DCPS Contributory Plan
DCPS Non-Contributory Plan
Important Notice from DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS about your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare
Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage with Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) and about your options under Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare drug plan. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the end of this notice.
There are two important things you need to know about your current coverage and Medicare’s prescription drug coverage:
- Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with Medicare. You can get this coverage if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug coverage. All Medicare drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium.
- Duval County Public Schools has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by the DCPS Contributory Plan and Non-Contributory Plan are, on average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays and is therefore considered Creditable Coverage. Because your existing coverage is Creditable Coverage, you can keep this coverage and not pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you later decide to join a Medicare drug plan.
When you make your decision, you should compare your current coverage, including what drugs are covered, with the coverage and cost of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Read this notice carefully – it explains your options.
You can join a Medicare drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare and each year from October 15th to December 7th. This may mean that you may have to wait to join a Medicare drug plan and that you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you join later. You may pay that higher premium (a penalty) as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
However, if you lose your current creditable prescription drug coverage, through no fault of your own, you will also be eligible for a two (2) month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to join a Medicare drug plan. In addition, if you lose or decide to leave employer sponsored coverage; you will be eligible to join a Part D plan at that time using an Employer Group Special Enrollment Period.
| DCPS Contributory Plan | DCPS Non-Contributory Plan | HMO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail - 30 days | |||
| Generic | $7 | $7 | $10 |
| Preferred Brand | $50 | $50 | $30 |
| Non-Preferred Brand | $80 | $80 | $50 |
| Specialty | $100 | $100 | $80 |
| Mail Order - 90 days | |||
| Generic | $14 | $14 | $20 |
| Preferred Brand | $100 | $100 | $60 |
| Non-Preferred Brand | $160 | $160 | $100 |
| Specialty | Not covered through mail order | Not covered through Mail Order | Not covered through mail order |
See below for more information about what happens to your current coverage if you join a Medicare drug plan.
Participants who are retired may retain the DCPS Group Medical coverage and choose not to enroll in Medicare Part D plan; or you can enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan, your DCPS prescription coverage will coordinate with Medicare Part D coverage. However, your current coverage pays for other health expenses in addition to prescription drug. If you enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, you and your dependents will still be eligible to receive all of your current health benefits.
If you decide to join a Medicare drug plan, and drop your DCPS Medical Plan prescription drug coverage, be aware that you and your dependents cannot get this coverage back.
You should also know that if you drop or lose your current coverage with DCPS Medical Plan and don’t join a Medicare drug plan within 63 continuous days after your current coverage ends, you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) to join a Medicare drug plan later. Your monthly premium may go up by at least 1% of the Medicare base beneficiary premium per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go nineteen months without creditable coverage, you premium may consistently be at least 19% higher than the Medicare base beneficiary premium. You may have to pay this higher premium (a penalty) as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the following October to join.
For More Information About This Notice Or Your Current Prescription Drug Coverage…
Contact Duval County Public Schools, Employee Benefits Office at 904-390-2351 for further information. NOTE: You’ll get this notice each year. You will also get it before the next period you can join a Medicare drug plan, and if this coverage through DCPS Group Medical Plan changes. You also may request a copy.
For More Information About Your Options Under Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage…
More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the “Medicare & You” handbook. You’ll get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare drug plans.
For more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage:
- Visit medicare.gov
- Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see the inside back cover of your copy of the “Medicare & You” handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
If you have limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. For information about this extra help, visit Social Security on the web at www.ssa.gov, or call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
CMS Form 10182-CC Updated April 1, 2014 According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0938-0990. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 8 hours per response initially, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions for improving this form, please write to: CMS, 7500 Security Boulevard, Attn: PRA Reports Clearance Officer, Mail Stop C4-26-05, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850.
Remember: Keep this Creditable Coverage notice. If you decide to join one of the Medicare drug plans, you may be required to provide a copy of this notice when you join to show whether or not you have maintained creditable coverage and, therefore, whether or not you are required to pay a higher premium (a penalty).
| Date: | September 1, 2023 |
| Name of Entity/Sender: | Duval County Public Schools |
| Contact–Position/Office: | Employee Benefits Department |
| Address: | 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville Florida 32207 |
| Phone Number: | 904-390-2351 |
This is an Employer Benefits Highlights Summary and not a contract.
All benefits are subject to the provisions and exclusions of the master contract.