The federal government has cautioned nursing homes against guiding residents toward specific Medicare Part D plans.

 "Under no circumstances should a nursing home require, request, coach or steer any resident to select or change a plan for any reason," the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS)noted in a letter to state survey agency directors.

Nursing home workers should be especially careful about steering residents toward plans affiliated with pharmacies that have a Medicare Part D relationship with the facility, CMS said. Residents who feel pressured to use a particular plan could face higher premiums or cost sharing responsibilities.

Click to view the letter