Variable: CRDCOVSW
Creditable Coverage Switch
Description
This variable indicates whether there were any months during the year when the beneficiary was not enrolled in the Part D benefit but had another form of drug coverage that was at least as generous. This alternate coverage is known as creditable coverage because beneficiaries who maintain it do not have to pay a late enrollment penalty if they later enroll in Part D.
Comment
Common examples of creditable coverage are the FEHB program, Tricare, the VA, state pharmacy assistance programs, or employment-based coverage for beneficiaries who are still working. CMS does not collect information on the drugs covered by these other sources of coverage.
Values
This variable is coded, and will contain one of the following values.
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | Beneficiary did not have any months during the year with creditable coverage |
| 1 | Beneficiary had at least one month with creditable coverage |
| * | Enrolled in Medicare A and/or B, but no Part D enrollment data for the beneficiary. (This status was indicated as 'X' for 2006-2009) |
Other Info
Some additional information on this variable:
- Short Name: CRDCOVSW
- Long Name: CRDTBL_CVRG_SW
- Type: CHAR
- Length: 1
- Source: CMS Enrollment Database (EDB)
- Value Format: