Carl Schmid discusses NC Blue Cross Blue Shield’s decision to remove HIV drugs from the highest and costliest drug tiers following a discrimination complaint filed by the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and NC AIDS Action Network.
Carl Schmid and Kevin Herwig offer updates at USCHA on Braidwood v Becerra, which challenges ACA’s preventive services coverage requirement, and discuss the amicus brief filed by HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and supported by 24 HIV and hepatitis organizations and other amici briefs filed by other groups.
At the NAIC meeting, Carl Schmid and colleagues present consumer representatives’ report on investigation of how insurers are implementing ACA preventive service requirements, including PrEP, and urge state regulators to take action to ensure insurers are compliant with the law.
NAIC Consumer Reps. Carl Schmid and Deb Darcy discuss barriers consumers face in accessing healthcare through the high number of prior authorizations and the appeals and denials process, and request the NAIC develop a workstream that improves data collection, and consumer awareness of the appeals process, update model laws, and better enforcement of federal and state laws and regulations.
Carl Schmid participates in the “Prescription for Better Access” podcast with Lauren Crawford Shaver and hosts Mark Hansan and Dr. Scott Howell to examine how PBM copay accumulator and maximizer policies harm patients by not counting copay assistance toward patient out-of-pocket costs and deductibles, and what can be done to keep prescription drugs accessible and affordable.