Speaking at InformaConnect’s #Copay2024, Kevin Herwig gave a policy update on developments related to copay accumulators, maximizers, and alternative funding programs and the failure of HHS to enforce the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute’s Court victory a year ago or fully close the loophole allowing insurers to designate prescription drugs as non-essential health benefits.
North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield HIV Drug Tiers
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.
Improving access to preventive services consumer protections
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.
Claims chaos: barriers to health insurance: Prior authorization, denials & appeals
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.
Role of state regulators in addressing discriminatory benefit design
Carl Schmid presents at National Association of Insurance Commissioners, along with other consumer representatives, on discrimination in insurance benefit design with a focus on prescription drugs and adverse tiering.