When must a beneficiary be informed about a trusted provider's availability in a new plan?

Beneficiaries must be informed about a trusted provider's availability at the time of plan selection to ensure they can make an informed decision regarding their healthcare options. This information is crucial for the beneficiary because it allows them to understand which providers are available to them under the new plan and whether those providers meet their healthcare needs. Being aware of provider availability beforehand helps beneficiaries assess the overall quality and accessibility of the healthcare services they will receive, significantly impacting their choice of plan.

Receiving this information at the time of enrollment may lead to confusion, as the decision-making process might not be clear without knowing the full scope of available healthcare resources. Similarly, discussing this after the annual review or only when requested could limit beneficiaries' opportunities to adequately evaluate their options before selection, falling short of the goal of promoting informed health plan decisions. Therefore, providing this information at the time of plan selection is essential for ensuring beneficiaries can choose the plan that best suits their needs.