On May 14, 2021, Aimed Alliance initially sent a letter to Cigna to express our concerns about the insurer’s recent decision to offer $500 debit cards to patients if they switch from a medication for psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis to another for nonmedical reasons.[1] Since then, we learned that Cigna has adopted the same program to incentivize stable patients to switch from the a biologic to biosimilars as of July 1, 2021.[2] In response, we sent a follow-up letter reiterating our concerns. Specifically, Aimed Alliance is concerned that the debit card program is another form of nonmedical switching. Additionally, the debit card is akin to a kickback or inducement. Read our letter here.
[1] https://www.ajmc.com/view/express-scripts-dangles-500-to-persuade-patients-to-switch-psoriasis-drugs
[2] https://www.cigna.com/about-us/newsroom/innovation/cigna-continues-efforts-to-lower-prescription-drug-cost
Last Updated on July 30, 2021 by Aimed Alliance
