GAO: One in Four Part D Contracts had Drug Plans Suppressed for Pricing Inaccuracy

Press Release

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today found that during the first seven months of 2013, 25 percent of Part D contracts had one or more plans suppressed from Plan Finder, the Medicare website seniors use to choose their drug plans, due to pricing inaccuracy.

The GAO also found that between January 1, 2009 and July 31, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had taken more than 150 official compliance actions against plans for pricing inaccuracy- issuing 89 notices of noncompliance and 67 warning letters.

The report was requested in April by U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, amid concerns over the reliability and usability of the Plan Finder website.

"Seniors should always have the right information when choosing a prescription drug plan," said Nelson. "This report underscores the need for Medicare to continue to do everything it can to stop false information from being posted on Plan Finder. While I welcome the steps CMS plans to take this year to improve pricing accuracy, I'm going to closely monitor their progress."

"In order for the Plan Finder to work, seniors must be able to get accurate drug cost information if they are to understand their plan options and choose the plan that best suits their needs," Collins said. "I am encouraged that the report finds that CMS has taken steps to ensure the accuracy of this information and urge the agency to continue to work to make sure seniors are able to navigate the website effectively."

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