The American Health Care Association is concerned that a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services contains language that deviates from Medicare Part D marketing guidelines.

Specifically, a letter from the Survey and Certification Group director to state survey agency directors uses prohibitive language about the Medicare prescription drug benefit, according to AHCA President and CEO Bruce Yarwood. It emphasizes what facilities cannot do as opposed to what they can do to educate, inform and assist residents in their selection Part D prescription drug plan.

CMS has repeatedly expressed its intent that facilities help residents, when necessary, in understanding their choices, Yarwood notes. In response, AHCA sent a letter to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan asking for modification to the language.