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WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives from the House Energy & Commerce Committee has sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, urging the agency to ensure Medicare beneficiaries have improved access to long-term care (LTC) pharmacy services in their homes. The letter, signed by Representatives Diana Harshbarger, Debbie Dingell, Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, Diana DeGette, Jan Schakowsky, and Paul Tonko, underscores the urgent need to close gaps in care for seniors and medically complex individuals who choose to receive care outside of institutional settings The letter highlights a troubling disparity: while LTC pharmacy services are routinely provided in skilled nursing facilities, Medicare beneficiaries with similar needs who reside in their homes often face significant barriers to accessing these life-saving services. The Members urged CMS to use its existing authority to encourage Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to reimburse LTC pharmacies adequately for the delivery of specialized services in home settings. “Specialized LTC pharmacy services are critical to supporting medically complex patients, reducing preventable hospitalizations, and managing chronic conditions effectively at home,” the letter states. “By expanding access to these services, CMS can help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the high-quality care they need while promoting cost savings and supporting patient preferences to remain at home.” The lawmakers noted that preventable adverse drug events account for an estimated $500 billion in healthcare costs annually, particularly among seniors and individuals with disabilities. LTC pharmacies play a vital role in mitigating these risks by providing 24/7 medication access, specialized packaging, caregiver consultations, and vaccine administration. However, most Medicare Part D plans have not adjusted reimbursement policies to support the provision of these services at home, despite existing CMS guidance allowing higher fees for enhanced care. The letter also underscores the growing demand for home-based care as the U.S. faces a shortage of institutional long-term care beds and an aging population with increasingly complex healthcare needs. Without action, these gaps in access will continue to drive disparities in health outcomes and Medicare expenditures. The Members called on CMS to utilize the “convenient access standard” to encourage Medicare Advantage and Part D plans to expand coverage for LTC pharmacy services at home. This step would align with CMS’s broader goals of increasing access, driving innovation, and supporting patient-centered care. About the Alliance for Long-Term Care Pharmacy @ Home The Alliance for Long-Term Care Pharmacy @ Home is a coalition of LTC pharmacies, professional associations, and care management groups advocating for increased access to LTC pharmacy services for medically complex patients living at home. Our mission is to promote equitable access to healthcare services that allow patients to remain safely in their homes and communities. For more information, visit www.pharmacyathome.org. 
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