A new study out of the Bay State regarding the importance of copay assistance programs and the downside of accumulators.
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) examined copay accumulators and the use and impact of prescription drug coupons in Massachusetts. (The Massachusetts HPC is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending growth in Massachusetts and providing data-driven policy recommendations regarding health care delivery and payment system reform.)
Of note, the study finds that, “Continued growth in high deductible plan enrollment, coupled with increasing drug prices, suggests that patient affordability challenges will only increase. Eliminating the availability of coupons at this time – without substantial protections for patient affordability – would likely create serious challenges for many patients in the Commonwealth.”
As to copay accumulators, “they are unlikely to encourage patients to use lower cost alternatives. Copay accumulators shift costs from the payer to the manufacturer and patient, potentially resulting in lower premiums. However, copay accumulators may preserve the affordability challenges that patients originally faced in their plan design, which could lead to lower access and adherence. In addition, these programs may increase administrative complexity for payers and PBMs and add confusion to patients navigating an increasingly complicated health care system.”
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence – John Adams
The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) examined copay accumulators and the use and impact of prescription drug coupons in Massachusetts. (The Massachusetts HPC is an independent state agency charged with monitoring health care spending growth in Massachusetts and providing data-driven policy recommendations regarding health care delivery and payment system reform.)
Of note, the study finds that, “Continued growth in high deductible plan enrollment, coupled with increasing drug prices, suggests that patient affordability challenges will only increase. Eliminating the availability of coupons at this time – without substantial protections for patient affordability – would likely create serious challenges for many patients in the Commonwealth.”
As to copay accumulators, “they are unlikely to encourage patients to use lower cost alternatives. Copay accumulators shift costs from the payer to the manufacturer and patient, potentially resulting in lower premiums. However, copay accumulators may preserve the affordability challenges that patients originally faced in their plan design, which could lead to lower access and adherence. In addition, these programs may increase administrative complexity for payers and PBMs and add confusion to patients navigating an increasingly complicated health care system.”
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence – John Adams
