Post a Comment On: Health-related Insurance in Connecticut

Yes they are and one big problem this is causing – nearly half of consumers are not taking medications MDs prescribed!
One interesting point about medication costs – what a person pays can vary from one pharmacy to another!  A recent survey found: · About 1/3 would go to a different pharmacy for a $10 savings. · Almost 70% would change if the savings were between $11 and $25!
Another survey found 67% of people did not fill their prescription because of the high cost.
MDs often do not talk about less expensive alternative medications. One step to help people was recently implemented. A local pharmacy is:          · Now allowed to tell people if the cost of a simple medication is less than the co-pay on their prescription plan.
Then too, I encourage people to ask the pharmacist about less expensive options than the medication on their prescription.
In late February while attending a professional conference in Washington DC Alex Azar the head of CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) highlighted to my association members plans to increase transparency in medication prices.  This will allow individuals to look for alternatives when they receive a prescription.
In following prescription costs through professional sources I see experts are reporting “real change is coming”.  Perhaps not as fast as many would like. Steps such as: · Working on the total cost of a medical situation by integrating and closely monitoring medical treatment and medications. · Changing the way prescription delivery is managed.
Want to share another way for people to take advantage of lower costs – the GoodRx discount service: · When using the medication cost can sometimes be lower than through a person’s prescription plan. · You can try the service for no cost.  · BTW – the cost of a medication purchased using GoodRx does not get applied as an expense toward a person's medical plan deductible.

John C Parker, RHU, LTCP
Niantic CT