Time from Medicare Part D claim adjudication to community pharmacy payment

Payment times improved during 2006, but a sizable proportion of claims were not paid within 30 days. Chain pharmacies received payments sooner than independent pharmacies. Additionally, a wide variation in median payment times was observed for Part D plans. The results of this study, based on actual claims data, are not in agreement with findings from a survey of Part D plans reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.