New research confirms the importance of drug affordability and low out-of-pocket costs
As we have highlighted in past articles, many people with Medicare (and many who call our national consumer helplines) work hard to afford their care, especially medications. New research from Wakely highlights the importance of increasing affordability and access to drugs, suggesting that more enrollees take medications as prescribed when Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to eliminate co-services of prescription drugs for people in low-income populations (MAs).
Elimination of sales leads to greater drug compliance
Wakely looked at some participants in the MA Dual Eligible Special Needs Program (D-SNP), a Medicare Advantage program for people with Medicare and Medicaid. Under temporary experimental models, these plans choose to abandon the symbiosis of some or all prescription drugs. The researchers found that no symbiotic participants had better adherence to diabetes, hypertension (hypertension) and high cholesterol drugs, which showed the greatest improvement.
Discovery based on previous research
Historically, many policy makers wanted to increase costs to stop people from using more care than they need. But this idea is changing as more data emerges, and Wakely’s findings confirm that earlier research shows that even if health and safety are necessary, even if health care costs are lowered, higher health care costs are needed.
Research shows that “the greater the cost distribution, the more medication adherence” leads to health, higher care needs and more hospitalizations.
Research shows that “the greater the cost distribution, the more medication adherence” leads to health, higher care needs and more hospitalizations. It also costs more. By contrast, eliminating copays does not increase costs, and in the long run, it can save money by preventing the need for more acute care.
Increase threats to affordability and financial stability
The findings are news about rising medical debt, the Trump administration “deprived” consumers of protecting such debt, emerging markets for medical credit cards and congressional proposals to cut Medicaid and other plans for those with limited resources. While new polls show that most voters continue to support and hope Congress expands the IRA's drug reform rather than limiting them, drug price negotiations under the Lower Inflation Act (IRA) also have risks of legislative and administrative changes.
Under Medicare rights, we know out-of-pocket expenses can give people access to care and harm people’s health. We urge Congress and other policy makers to reduce the economic burden of health care and coverage through Medicare and other insurances.
Take action now!
Members of Congress are currently recessing for two weeks before Sunday, April 27. Learn more and take action today.
Further reading
Read Wakely Research.
Read more about recent polls on drug prices.
Read more about the threat to drug price negotiations.
Read more about the proposed Medicaid and other cuts.
