The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that Medicare beneficiaries who qualify after May 15, 2006 for the limited–income subsidy (LIS) available through the Medicare prescription drug program will have a one–time opportunity using a special enrollment period to enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit if they have not done so already.

This special enrollment period will enable these beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan right after they become qualified for the LIS, even if this is after May 15th. Medicare will also continue to facilitate enrollment in a drug plan for people who qualify for the LIS if they do not choose a plan on their own. This one–time enrollment for beneficiaries who qualify for the LIS is very different from extending the open enrollment period– it simply gives beneficiaries who are newly qualified for LIS a one–time opportunity to enroll when they qualify.

The extra help available through the LIS allows for comprehensive and valuable drug coverage in most cases for just a few dollars for every prescription. CMS wants to make sure that people who need help the most can use this coverage just as soon as they become eligible.

Medicare beneficiaries still should make their decision about the Medicare prescription drug program by May 15, 2006 to receive the most benefit from the program. Millions of beneficiaries are already saving, hundreds of thousands more are enrolling each week, and there are lots of ways to get assistance between now and May 15.