Medicare Part D Payments for Beneficiaries in Part A Skilled Nursing Facility Stays in 2006

June 3, 2009 The federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) sought to determine the extent to which Medicare Part D paid for drugs for beneficiaries in Part A skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays in 2006. The OIG researchers found that in 2006, about $75 million in medications billed to Medicare Part D was for beneficiaries in skilled nursing facility stays covered by Medicare Part A. The majority of the payments were likely inappropriate because Medicare Part D provides outpatient prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries who enroll. Part D covers most prescription drugs . . .