While the number of Medicare Part D program complaints has fallen since the program began, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services still has problems resolving critical program complaints.
That is according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. The monthly rate of complaints from Medicare beneficiaries about the prescription drug benefit decreased by 74% during the 18-month period that ended on Oct. 31, 2007, the report said. The monthly rate of complaints decreased from a peak in May 2006 to a low in October 2007. The time needed to resolve complaints also decreased from 33 days to nine days, the report said.
Still, 53% of “immediate need complaints” and 27% of “urgent need complaints” were not resolved in a timely fashion, according to Medicare Part D: Complaint Rates Are Declining, but Operational and Oversight Challenges Remain. GAO noted that it has concerns that beneficiaries may run out of medications before their complaints are settled.
To see the report go to http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20080728131811.pdf.
