Letter in support of Minnesota’s HF 3611 to require insurers to count copay assistance towards patient costs
Commerce Finance and Policy Committee
509 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Vice Chair Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
Commerce Finance and Policy Committee
567 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55155
Re: Support for HF 3611 so that Patients can Afford their Prescription Medications
Dear Chair Stephenson and Vice Chair Kotzya-Witthuhn,
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is a leading HIV and hepatitis policy organization promoting quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions. We strongly support House File 3611 which would require health insurers to accept and count payments made on behalf of patients towards deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
Copay accumulators are harmful policies that many insurance plans, employers, and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) are implementing in which copay assistance does not count towards a beneficiary’ out-of-pocket costs and deductible. By passing this bill, Minnesota will join 12 other states (Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia) and Puerto Rico in protecting consumers purchasing insurance on the private market by assuring their copay assistance will count towards cost-sharing obligations.
People with HIV, hepatitis, and others with serious and chronic conditions rely on medications to remain healthy and alive. People with HIV and hepatitis B rely on drug regimens that they must take for the rest of their lives, while people with hepatitis C can be cured of their disease in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. However, even though people may have health insurance, access to these medications is still insurmountable for many due to high deductibles and cost-sharing, often in terms of co-insurance. Copay assistance is critical for patients to afford and adhere to their medications. It is particularly important during these difficult times when so many individuals and families are facing increased costs and inflation. Currently, all Minnesota health insurers on the individual marketplace have language in their individual health plan documents stating that copay assistance may not be counted.
For the benefit of patients who rely on prescription drugs to maintain their health, we urge you to support HF 3611. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone at (202) 462-3042 or email at cschmid@hivhep.org.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Carl E. Schmid II
Executive Director
Cc Rep. Tim O’Driscoll
Rep. Cal Bahr
Rep. Andrew Carlson
Rep. Jim Davnie
Rep. Steve Elkins
Rep. Barb Haley
Rep. Erin Koegel
Rep. Fue Lee
Rep. Leon Lillie
Rep. David Lislegard
Rep. Eric Lucero
Rep. Liz Olson
Rep. Brian Pfarr
Rep. Jordan Rasmusson
Rep. Ruth Richardson
Rep. Tama Theis
Rep. Rena Moran