Lawmakers seek corrections to Medicare Plan Finder website

To help Medicare beneficiaries make better choices as they choose drug plans, pending regulatory guidance could increase transparency and accuracy of information on the Medicare Plan Finder website.

Eleven lawmakers recently sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting these fixes. It was signed by Reps. Austin Scott (R-GA), Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and others, and encouraged CMS to put into use its proposed guidance on consistent reporting of pharmacy price concessions.

"As we all work to ensure seniors get the best and most affordable health care possible, we must focus on reducing prescription drug costs and making sure there is ample transparency and consistency in reporting to help the government responsibly manage the program as well as to help our nation’s seniors make better informed decisions,” the lawmakers wrote.

The representatives also asked CMS to implement guidance proposed in 2014 that would mandate Part D plan sponsors consistently report “direct and indirect remuneration” fees paid by pharmacies.