Related: OIG report discusses role of nursing homes, pharmacies in Part D plan selection
“Role of Nursing Homes and Long Term Care Pharmacies in Assisting
Dual-Eligible Residents With Selecting Part D Plans” (OEI-02-06-00191,
June 2008, .pdf format, 7p.).
Abstract:
This memorandum report provides information about the role of nursing
homes and long term care pharmacies in assisting dual-eligible residents
with selecting their Part D plans. This information was gathered as part
of another study, entitled “Availability of Medicare Part D Drugs to
Dual-Eligible Nursing Home Residents” (OEI-02-06-00l90). Nursing homes and
long term care pharmacies reported providing different types of assistance
to dual-eligible residents who were selecting their Part D plans. The
types of assistance included: identifying multiple plans that met
residents’ needs, enrollng residents in a single plan or recommending one
plan to residents and providing general information. Some nursing homes
and long term care pharmacies provided no assistance, at alL. It appears
that some of these practices may not be in accordance with the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance that does not allow nursing
homes to request, require, coach, or steer residents to select plans. We
further note that the Federal regulations that apply to hospital discharge
planning may serve as a useful model for Part D. For example, as part of
the discharge-planning process, hospitals must provide a list of home
health agencies or skilled nursing facilities available to patients.