A new analysis found that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could raise out-of-pocket costs for 3.5 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2026. This could undermine the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap meant to benefit seniors and people with disabilities. According to the Milliman analysis, beneficiaries using medicines subject to a maximum fair price could see out-of-pocket costs rise by 12 percent; this figure more than doubles (27 percent) for low-income beneficiaries. These cost increases stem from the interaction between the IRA’s pricing provisions and the new out-of-pocket cap. The report highlights how new requirements for defining cost-sharing within Medicare and pre-set copays may result in consumers not receiving a benefit from the lower negotiated prices. Read the report here.
Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Aimed Alliance
