HHS stands by Part D deadline
Executive Summary
May 15 is likely to remain the deadline for enrollment in Medicare Part D, HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt stated during the America's Health Insurance Plans National Policy Forum March 7. "We believe that the May 15 deadline is an appropriate deadline," he said. Leavitt, however, noted that "Congress could change the deadline." Some legislators have called for an extension of the Medicare drug benefit enrollment period because of implementation challenges. For beneficiaries signing up for Part D after May 15, a penalty of 1% of the base premium will be assessed for every month that enrollment is delayed...