It must be used as part of the annual notification process to current members. Enrollees whose source of enrollment is through an employer sponsored group are not currently included in the mandated use of the standardized SB for either annual notification or initial marketing purposes. However, the SB must be used as per 1 above, even when a shorter version is available. The language and format used to describe benefits, premiums and copays in the shorter version summary must be in concert with language and format used in the SB to describe the same benefit. An assessment of the efficacy of the SB is planned.
Modifications based on experience are possible.
However, required use of a standardized SB will continue. By following instructions plans will facilitate timely RO review. They must be discussed in the plan specific special features section. Optional supplemental benefits must be discussed in the plan specific special features section. A complete and separate column in the comparison matrix must be completed for each plan described, using the format and language provided.