Carl Schmid, along w/ other NAIC consumer reps., provides federal update at its Fall Meeting in Tampa with a focus on updated regulations to strengthen ACA Section 1557 non-discrimination rule and copay accumulator litigation to ensure copay assistance counts.
At Informa Connect’s Copay, Reimbursement and Access Congress, Carl Schmid discusses the litigation filed by HIV+Hep, the DLC, and the DPAC in the U.S. District Court for DC challenging a federal rule that allows health insurers to avoid counting the value of drug manufacturer copay assistance toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations in violation of the ACA definition of and regulations for cost-sharing.
Carl Schmid discusses on a National Consumers League webinar current federal advocacy efforts to ensure that copay assistance for prescription drugs counts. This includes comments on two regulations, a congressional bill, and recent litigation initiated by HIV+Hep and two diabetes groups.
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Insite, the Diabetes Leadership Council, and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging a federal rule that allows health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers to avoid counting drug manufacturer copay assistance toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations. Due to increased deductibles and cost-sharing requirements, patients rely on copay assistance to help them afford their medications.
Carl Schmid presents to NAIC Special Committee on Race & Insurance on how insurance benefit design impacts prescription drug access for racial and ethnic communities and suggestions for overcoming access barriers by reducing utilization management measures, lowering cost-sharing, offering standardized plans, and enforcing ACA non-discrimination policies.