Avalere Health reminded consumers to pay close attention to all aspects of their Medicare prescription drug plan, including on which "tier" or group their medications are covered. Avalere data released from its proprietary DataFrame database show that an overwhelming majority of Medicare health plans are now using a system that places some of the most expensive drugs in newly created fourth and fifth tiers. Drugs in the higher tiers can cost consumers significantly more money than a three tier, fixed co-payment system.
Consumers traditionally pay fixed amounts, or co-pays, when purchasing prescription drugs, and these co-pays are typically lumped into three groups: generics, preferred brands, and non-preferred brands. However, Medicare Part D drug plans have revolutionized the shape of the market by placing more expensive drugs into additional tiers. According to Avalere, 86% of all Medicare Part D plans use four (and sometimes five) tier plan structures, versus only 10% of commercial health plans.
"Health plans are trying to balance competing demands of access to medications and low cost, but the result is that patients with serious illnesses are paying more," said Dan Mendelson, president of Avalere Health. "It's a trend that's starting to push into the commercial world too."
Using its proprietary DataFrame database, which houses information about every Medicare drug plans' drug coverage and associated benefits, found that on average, Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay 25 percent to 35 percent of the cost of Tier 4 drugs compared with commercial plan beneficiaries who pay a fixed fee of about $71. Specialty drugs found in Tier 4 formularies can cost in excess of $600 per month.
"People with cancer, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, rheumatoid arthritis, and anemia should be paying very close attention to tiering in Medicare," said Mendelson.
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