Plan Effective Date

SAS Name
EFFECTIVE_DATE

This variable is the date the Part D plan sponsor began offering the particular plan benefit package.

Comments

This is the date the contract (CONTRACT_ID) and benefit package number (PLAN_ID) was first offered.

The CCW constructs the Plan Characteristics file from information submitted by plan sponsors to CMS’s Health Plan Management System (HPMS).

Source: CMS (HPMS files)