Providing access to discounted medicine prices at the point of sale (i.e., at the pharmacy directly) could save certain commercially insured patients with high deductibles and coinsurance anywhere between $145 to more than $800 annually, according to a new analysis from Milliman that was commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). The data also show sharing negotiated rebates with patients would have a minimal impact on premiums because it would only increase health plan costs on average 1 percent or less.
“Shifting costs to the sickest patients by requiring higher rates of cost-sharing undermines the very purpose of insurance,” said Stephen J. Ubl, president and CEO of PhRMA, who cited recent Kaiser Family Foundation data showing patients’ out-of-pocket spending is growing faster than underlying medical costs. “This analysis demonstrates that sharing negotiated rebates with patients can lower their out-of-pocket costs with a minimal impact on premiums.”
Negotiations between biopharmaceutical companies and health plans often result in significant rebates. According to a recent study from the Berkeley Research Group, more than one third of the list price for brand medicines is rebated back to payers and the supply chain. These rebates totaled more than $100 billion in 2015 and are growing every year.
A little known (and not frequently mentioned) fact is that for patients with high deductibles or coinsurance, their out-of-pocket spending on medicines is based on the full list price, even if their insurer receives a steep discount. In fact, an analysis from Amundsen Consulting found more than half of commercially insured patients’ out-of-pocket spending for brand medicines is based on the full list price.
According to the aforementioned Milliman analysis, these patients would benefit from receiving access to discounted prices at the point of sale. Depending on factors like plan design and medical out-of-pocket spend, some patients may see their annual out-of-pocket spending reduced. Other patients would pay less each month and could have their costs spread throughout the year, so it would take longer to hit their out-of-pocket maximum and resulting in lower monthly costs.
Hypothetical examples to illustrate the data include:
- Mary has diabetes and is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan with a copay. She spends $1,000 annually out of pocket on her medical and pharmacy expenses. She would save approximately $359 annually if negotiated discounts were shared.
- Kevin has diabetes along with several other health conditions and is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan with coinsurance. He spends $5,000 annually out of pocket on his medical and pharmacy expenses. He would save about $800 annually if negotiated discounts were shared.
- Joe has chronic respiratory disease and is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan with coinsurance. He always reaches his maximum out-of-pocket limit on his medical and pharmacy expenses early in the year. He would save $204 per month until he meets his deductible and then $41 per month until he reaches his out-out-pocket maximum, allowing him to spread his costs throughout the year.
Many often say that industry is not doing enough to help the patients. While we have continued to note the untruthfulness behind that statement, PhRMA has continued to work on behalf of patients all over the country, with their advocacy campaign – Let’s Talk About Cost. Feel free to visit the link to learn more about this campaign and to see how you can get involved – and spread the news about the good work Industry is doing.