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 #Rx.
Insurers warned that excessive utilization management of prescription drugs is potentially discriminatory
As part of the Biden administration’s proposed rule to implement the Affordable Care Act’s nondiscrimination provisions, excessive use of utilization management for prescription drugs, including prior authorization, step therapy, and durational or quantity limits could be deemed discriminatory. Additionally, the proposed rule adds back protections that prohibit insurers and other health programs from engaging in marketing practices and benefit design that discriminate on the basis of certain conditions, including disability.
Federal Government Issues Guidance to Insurers on Coverage of HIV Prevention Drugs
Today, the federal government issued guidance to insurers to remind them of their obligation to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which are drugs that prevent HIV, at no cost to their beneficiaries. The guidance, in the form of an FAQ, also clarifies that associated services with PrEP, such as provider visits and HIV, hepatitis, and STD testing along with other laboratory tests, must also be covered with no patient cost-sharing. This follows previous guidance for the coverage of other preventive services that have associated services and costs, such as colonoscopies.
Many insurers failing to offer HIV prevention drug for free
Washington DC… In a review of health insurance plans being offered on federal and state exchanges in 2021, the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is finding that many plans will not be…
Trump Administration requires insurers to better disclose healthcare costs for patients
Washington DC… House appropriators are proposing minimal increases for addressing the HIV epidemic in the United States by providing $90 million in increased funding in their FY2021…