Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

A federal district court has denied a motion that could have opened the door for providers to help residents choose Medicare Part D drug plans. The court would not impose a preliminary injunction that would bar guidelines that prohibit healthcare providers from assisting beneficiaries.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said it would not block the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from enforcing Part D marketing rules. The Washington Legal Foundation, a nonprofit public interest law firm in Washington, brought the motion.

The WLF argued that many beneficiaries, especially those in long-term care facilities or with cognitive impairments, often rely on their healthcare providers for help in making decisions such as health plan choices. CMS has instructed state surveyors to issue citations to nursing homes that violate the prohibition.