Over the next few weeks, thousands will select insurance plans for 2022, whether on a state exchange or through their employer. A health plan’s fine print hardly makes for riveting reading. So most folks just focus on the monthly premium, make sure their doctor is covered, and ensure cost-sharing responsibilities are manageable. But that fine print is important, especially when it comes to how insurers treat co-pay assistance, or financial help that drug companies offer to patients to assist them with prescription drug out-of-pocket costs. [This opinion piece also appeared in The Lebanon Democrat, The Leader/Observer, Forest Hills/Rego Park Times, Long Island City/Astoria/Jackson Heights Journal, Greenpoint Star, and Brooklyn Downtown Star.]
Enforcement needed to ensure health-plan compliance with HIV preventive drug requirement
As we begin 2021, almost everyone with private health insurance will have free access to drugs that prevent HIV infection, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. To start with, it is remarkable that such medications exist, and so important that health care coverage laws emphasize preventive services…
Three guiding principles for patient-centered decision-making in Washington for 2021
“Millions of patients most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 are not only feeling left behind in 2020, but are facing more intense health and economic challenges as policymakers and regulators make one poor policy decision after another.”…
It’s important for the Trump Administration to listen to patients
“The United States needs to take serious action to lower drug prices and expand access for patients, and it should start by listening to them. Unfortunately, the Trump administration recently put forth a proposal that fails to listen to patients’ concerns and will actually do more harm than good.” …
New insurance proposal would hurt Americans with HIV
“Americans living with HIV, hepatitis, and other illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and hemophilia are used to fighting for their lives. A new proposal from the Trump administration could make that fight a whole lot harder and costlier.”…