Copay assistance

Among Americans who take prescription drugs, a quarter struggle to afford their medication. For those who are in poor health or have low incomes, the portion is even higher. These days, the rising cost of everyday goods and services is forcing more people to face difficult decisions and ask themselves: How can I pay for utilities, the groceries, or the medicine that’s keeping me alive? Now imagine that someone offers you financial assistance for the express purpose of paying for your medicine—problem apparently solved. But in a cruel twist, your health insurer pockets that assistance, without counting it toward your annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. That’s why the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, the Diabetes Leadership Council, and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition filed suit in federal court, challenging the Trump-era federal government rule that allows insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to carry out this harmful practice.