On March 11, 2020, Aimed Alliance joined a coalition of patient advocacy groups and provider associations in a sign-on letter sent to Kentucky legislators in support of Kentucky HB 72. This legislation, passed by the Kentucky House Banking and Insurance Committee on March 4, 2020, would limit the use of copay accumulator programs by health insurers. Copay accumulator programs are policies that health plans use to prevent cost-sharing amounts paid on behalf of plan enrollees from counting towards their maximum out-of-pocket limits. These policies can be harmful to enrollees who rely on financial assistance from third parties, such as pharmaceutical manufacturers and charitable patient assistance programs, because they may be unable to afford their medications once their financial assistance becomes exhausted. Once this occurs, patients’ inability to afford their medications could result in medication adherence issues, additional health care utilization, and negative health outcomes.
HB 72 would limit the use of copay accumulator programs by requiring health plans to include cost-sharing amounts paid by or on behalf of plan enrollees in the calculation of their maximum out-of-pocket limits, except when they fill a prescription for a brand drug with a generic equivalent. The sign-on letter urges Kentucky lawmakers to support the passage of HB 72 and explains how copay accumulator programs can be harmful to patients.
Read the sign-on letter to learn more.
Last Updated on May 18, 2020 by Aimed Alliance
