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Dual-eligible seniors living in assisted living facilities or home- and community-based care settings should receive the same Medicare Part D benefit rights as those residing in nursing homes, a major provider group contends.

The National Center for Assisted Living on Wednesday asked the Senate Special Aging Committee to persuade Congress to waive Part D co-payments for seniors covered by both Medicare and Medicaid who are dwelling in HCBS or assisted living and residential care facilities. The government currently waives co-payments for dual eligibles living in nursing homes.

“These are elderly citizens who have prescription needs similar to nursing home patients but often are financially unable to afford the co-payments on their Part D prescriptions,” said David Kyllo, executive director of NCAL in a statement presented to the Senate committee.