Navigating Medicare Part D Websites: Are the Part D Plans in Compliance?

• Published in: Journal of gerontological nursing Vol. 42; no. 10; pp. 9 - 14
• Main Authors: Cooke, Catherine E, Kaiser, Michael J, Sheppard, Monique A, Brandt, Nicole J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Guideline Adherence; Internet; Medicare; Medicare Part D - organization & administration; Nursing; Older people; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 0098-9134; 1938-243X
• DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20160913-04

Today, more than one half of older adults use the internet to obtain health-related information, and there is growing interest from governmental agencies in providing information online. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides guidance to Part D prescription drug plan sponsors about information to include on their websites. The current article examines compliance with the 2014 CMS guidance for Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program information on Part D plan sponsors' websites. There were 59.5% of plan sponsors that had a dedicated MTM program webpage, accessible within two clicks from the plan sponsor's home page and provided basic information, eligibility for MTM services, and access to a blank copy of a personalized medication list document. Although improvements in the provision of information about plan sponsors' MTM programs can be made, future work should evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the online MTM program information provided to Medicare beneficiaries. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(10), 9-14.].