Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority Board Rejects Proposal For High-Deductible Prescription Drug Plan

October 16, 2007 – 10:26 pm | posted in Health Insurance

The Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority Board on Thursday rejected a proposal for a prescription drug plan that would have included a $15 copayment for refills of generic drugs, as well as a $1,000 deductible for brand-name drugs with additional copays of $50 or $75 per refill, the Boston Globe reports. The board did not conduct an official vote on the high-deductible plan, but members voiced their disapproval by noting that actual savings on monthly premiums would be limited and that the plan could leave people with inadequate coverage, the Globe reports. Board members asked staff to find other ways to reduce the cost of drug coverage, according to the Globe.

In March, the board approved a requirement that all residents obtain health insurance with prescription drug coverage. The board in November will release coverage standards for insurers, and residents must have drug coverage by January 2009.

The Globe reports that the board is considering ways to make drug coverage affordable for the more than 160,000 state residents who have health insurance but no drug coverage. In addition, about 30% of state residents who purchased nonsubsidized coverage through the authority chose plans that do not include drug coverage. According to authority staff, drug coverage typically adds about 15% to monthly premium costs. The board is trying to reduce the added costs to about 5% of monthly premiums while offering adequate coverage that provides access to generic drugs (Dembner, Boston Globe, 10/12).

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