The Prescription Drug Plan has long been a benefit that State employees have counted on both as an employee and also in retirement. In 2011 Maryland State legislation was passed to cancel this prescription benefit for State retirees eligible for Medicare, when the 'doughnut hole' (a gap in Medicare prescription coverage) was closed. The gap was to close in 2020, but was changed to close earlier beginning January 2019.
The Maryland General Assembly responded to this earlier closure of the Medicare gap in coverage, by cancelling the State Prescription Drug plan effective January 1, 2019, for Medicare eligible State retirees, which would have required the affected retirees to apply for a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. However, a lawsuit and an injunction in late 2018 left the State Prescription Drug Plan benefits intact for 2019.
Now is the time to let your representative know what you think about the cancellation of the retiree Prescription Drug plan. Although the law was changed in 2011, many employees and retirees, as well as legislators, were not aware of the law to cancel retiree benefits until May of 2018. This change will cause a great hardship for many.
The Maryland General Assembly is now in session and legislators plan to introduce a bill to repeal the 2011 law and bring State retirees back to the prior Prescription Drug Plan.
Want to Provide Feedback to your Legislator?
To send your thoughts to your legislator regarding the Prescription Drug change, go to the following page and follow these instructions:
- Click on the words “Who represents me?”near the top right corner of the page.
- It will take you to a box to enter your address and zip, then click “find”.
- Click “Create Message” Type your message in the box and then click send. It’s that easy!
