What makes a prescription drug plan creditable?

Asked by: Prof. Wilhelmine Powlowski Sr.  |  Last update: July 16, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (10 votes)

Creditable prescription drug coverage is prescription drug coverage that's expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare drug coverage.

What is considered creditable prescription drug coverage?

Creditable coverage: A health plan's prescription drug coverage is creditable when the amount the plan expects to pay for prescription drugs for individuals covered by the plan in the coming year is, on average, the same or more than what standard Medicare prescription drug coverage would be expected to pay.

What is proof of creditable coverage for health insurance?

A written certificate issued by a group health plan or health insurance issuer (including an HMO) that shows your prior health coverage (creditable coverage).

How long can you go without creditable prescription drug coverage?

A person must be without creditable coverage 63 or more days in a row any time after they were first eligible for Medicare drug coverage to be charged a late enrollment penalty.

What is a non creditable plan?

What does Non-Creditable Coverage mean? If you are Medicare-eligible and enrolled in UC Medicare PPO without Prescription Drugs, the plan is not expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays. Therefore, your coverage is considered Non-Creditable Coverage.

What Is Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage? - InsuranceGuide360.com

24 related questions found

What is credible or creditable coverage?

Creditable coverage is used in two different ways. In general, it is coverage that gives you the right to buy or switch health insurance coverage without penalty, restriction, or waiting period. Different types of health insurance have different creditable coverage requirements.

Which of the following best describes creditable coverage?

Which of the following best describes creditable coverage? Creditable coverage is prior health insurance coverage, which is used to establish eligibility under HIPAA.

Is GoodRx considered creditable drug coverage?

(Chapter 5 of the Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition explains Medicare Part D and how to avoid Part D penalties). Unfortunately, prescription discount programs -- such as GoodRx or store prescription memberships -- are not considered “creditable” coverage.

Why is my prescription no longer covered by insurance?

Each year, and at times throughout the year, a health plan may choose to no longer cover certain prescription medications based on several factors, including: Cost of the medication. Clinical data for using the medication to treat a specific condition. The availability of generic options.

Can you go back to original Medicare from an advantage plan?

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) you can: Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

Is CVS Caremark creditable coverage?

University of Detroit Mercy has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by BCBSM, HAP & CVS Caremark is, on average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays and is considered Creditable Coverage.

Which of the following statements about creditable prescription drug coverage is?

Explanation: The correct statement about creditable prescription drug coverage is option d. All of the above statements are true. Creditable coverage refers to drug coverage that pays at least as much as Medicare's standard drug coverage on average.

Are high deductible health plans considered creditable coverage?

The HDHPs provide no prescription drug coverage until the deductible is satisfied and therefore, do not provide Creditable Coverage. To qualify as Creditable Coverage, a plan must provide prescription drug coverage that pays at least as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage.

What is the coverage gap for prescriptions?

What's the coverage gap, and how will I know if I've reached it? Some Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap. This means that after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you may have to pay more for your prescription drugs up to a certain limit.

How to get a certificate of creditable coverage?

If an employee needs a COCC for proof of loss of coverage, they can contact their insurance carrier directly. In most instances, the insurance carrier will fax or email the COCC to them.

How do you determine a prescription tier?

These tiers are determined by:
  1. Cost of the drug.
  2. Cost of the drug and how it compares to other drugs for the same treatment.
  3. Drug availability.
  4. Clinical effectiveness and connection to standard of care.
  5. and other cost factors, including delivery and storage.

How do I know if my insurance will cover a prescription?

Call your insurer directly to find out what is covered. Have your plan information available. The number is available on your insurance card the insurer's website, or the detailed plan description in your Marketplace account. Review any coverage materials that your plan mailed to you.

Why would my insurance deny my prescription?

Insurers may deny coverage of a medication because the company decides the drug is not a necessity for treatment of your condition. Even if your doctor supplies information that shows your need for the medication, the company may deny the claim because the evidence was not strong enough to convince them.

Can I buy a stand-alone prescription drug plan?

These are standalone plans that can be purchased through private insurance companies. PDPs provide coverage for prescription drugs and medications and may also cover some vaccines too. Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn't provide prescription drug coverage.

How do I know if my prescription plan is creditable?

What is it? You'll get this notice each year if you have drug coverage from an employer/union or other group health plan. This notice will let you know whether or not your drug coverage is “creditable.”

Can you use GoodRx if you have a prescription plan?

Keep in mind that you cannot use GoodRx and insurance at the same time. However, you can use GoodRx instead of insurance or government-funded programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for your prescription medications. GoodRx is not insurance.

What is credible vs non creditable prescription coverage?

Prescription drug coverage is considered “creditable” when its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. It is considered “non-creditable” when it does not provide, on average, as much coverage as Medicare's standard Part D plan.

What is the penalty for not having creditable prescription drug coverage?

You'll pay an extra 1% for each month you could have signed up for Part D, but didn't, and didn't have creditable drug coverage. We'll add this penalty to your monthly Part D premium.

Can you have more than one prescription drug plan?

If you have more than one prescription drug plan and plan to use Coordination of Benefits, it's important to make sure the pharmacy has the processing information for both plans. It's also important to make sure the pharmacy is aware which plan is considered primary and which plan is considered secondary.

What does proof of creditable coverage mean?

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) requires entities (whose policies include prescription drug coverage) to notify Medicare eligible policyholders whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable coverage, which means that the coverage is expected to pay on average as much as the standard Medicare prescription ...