Report provides options for states to improve prescription drug access

A new study by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners outlines strategies states can take to assist consumers with prescription drug access (Source: “Report For State Insurance Commissioners Offers Options To Improve Drug Access,” Kaiser Health News, Aug. 26, 2016).

The report, describes steps states can take to address a number of drug coverage issues in the commercial insurance market, including:

• Limiting the number of cost-sharing tiers that insurers can use in a plan.
• Limiting consumer out-of-pocket spending by, for instance, prohibiting plans from charging coinsurance, which is a percentage of the cost of a drug, instead of using flat dollar copayments.
• Prohibiting plans from changing their formulary, or list of covered drugs, midway through the year.