All,

Passing along information from CMS.  Item 3 announces a Getting Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment Period webinar on October 8. 

 

Ann

 

 

Hello, Partners: 

 

I wanted to share some important information from CMS this week:

 

1. FLU CAMPAIGN - CMS launched their flu campaign this week with the Flu story page and Outreach & Media Materials pages.  On the cms.gov home page, you’ll see a spotlight that links audiences to the flu story page.  You can also access these pages and others in a new “flu shots” section on the Health conditions & campaigns page, part of the CMS.gov Outreach & education page. 

 

The Outreach & Media Materials page is where you can find (new and old) flu campaign materials and others. More resources will be added as they become available.  Right now, it includes: live read radio scripts, CMS social media toolkit (Eng & Span), both new to this year’s efforts.  Attached is some listserv language you can use to share these websites and resources. 

 

Please let me know if you share any of these important materials through your distribution channels.

 

2. CMS announced earlier this week that average 2021 premiums for Medicare Advantage plans are expected to decline 34.2 percent from 2017 while plan choice, benefits, and enrollment continue to increase. The Medicare Advantage average monthly premium will be the lowest in 14 years (since 2007) for the over 26 million Medicare beneficiaries projected to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2021. Additionally, for the first time, seniors who use insulin will have over 1,600 Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans to choose from that will offer insulin at no more than a $35 monthly copay beginning in January.  You can read the press release here. 

 

3. The CMS National Training Program is hosting an upcoming webinar, “Getting Ready for the Medicare Open Enrollment Period” on October 8^th.  Please check the link below one week prior for registration details.   

Please let me know if you have any questions on any of these announcements.

 

Thanks!

 

Michelle

 

Michelle D. Oswald, MA, BSW

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Office of Communications, Partner Relations Group

7500 Security Blvd, S2-09-08

Baltimore, MD 21244

Phone:  410.786.6964

Cell:       443-992-1267

E-mail:   xxxxxx@cms.hhs.gov

 

 

CMS has developed a Virtual Toolkit to help you stay informed on CMS and HHS materials available on the COVID-19.

INFORMATION NOT RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLIC UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY LAW:  This information has not been publicly disclosed and may be privileged and confidential.  It is for internal government use only and must not be disseminated, distributed, or copied to persons not authorized to receive the information.  Unauthorized disclosure may result in prosecution to the full extent of the law.