The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is investigating reports that some consumers received incorrect letters claiming their local pharmacies are no longer in their insurance networks.
State officials are urging residents who received such letters to contact their insurance company or pharmacy benefits manager directly to confirm their pharmacy’s network status before making any changes to where they fill prescriptions.
“Local pharmacies are a vital part of our communities and health care system,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys in a Dec. 23 news release. “These trusted partners provide accessible, personalized care, medication counseling, and help managing chronic conditions, especially for seniors and individuals in rural or underserved areas.”
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department received multiple reports of consumers getting letters incorrectly stating certain local pharmacies were out of network. In some cases shared with the department, pharmacy benefits managers later sent correction letters confirming the pharmacies remained in-network.
The department is working with insurers, partner organizations, and state and federal agencies to determine the scope of the issue and ensure residents receive accurate information.
Humphreys said incorrect information disrupts care and creates unnecessary stress for consumers. He added it can also unfairly damage providers economically when they were never out of network.
Pennsylvanians with questions or complaints about their health insurance can visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-722-6675.