Copayments and co-insurance fees for drugs in the individual insurance market increased 34% compared to before the Affordable Care Act (ACA). All of the four metal health plan categories under the ACA had drug cost-sharing increases. Bronze health insurance plans had the highest increase at 58% while Platinum health insurance plans had the lowest increase at 15%.
Plan enrollees who use brand name drugs and specialty drugs face the greatest burden from the increases in copayments and co-insurance fees while enrollees who use medications infrequently are not likely to notice the cost-sharing increases.
The 34% increase in copayments and co-insurance fees does not mean that consumers will spend 34% more on drugs. Drug spending is also affected by deductible amounts, out-of-pocket caps, and what drugs are included within a health plan’s list of covered medications.
Before the Affordable Care Act, nearly one-out-of-five private individual health insurance plans had no prescription drug coverage while all new health plans in the individual market include a drug benefit. In addition, patients can get over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin, folic acid, and iron supplements, with no out-of-pocket cost when used as preventive medicine.
“With copayments and co-insurance fees rising, consumers must shop health plans more carefully. Copayments, deductible amounts, and limits on annual drug spending should not be ignored. Consumers can also discuss with their doctors whether there are alternative drugs that have lower costs but equivalent therapeutic results,” said Kev Coleman, Head of Research & Data at HealthPocket. For more information, visit www.HealthPocket.com.
