Frequency and Magnitude of Co-payments Exceeding Prescription Drug Costs

摘要

A co-payment suggests sharing the total cost between patients and payers. However, drug co-payments sometimes exceed costs, with the insurer or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) keeping the difference.~(1) Furthermore, some pharmacists are contractually prevented from alerting patients when their co-payment exceeds the drug’s cash price.~(2) Although some have argued that the practice is uncommon, a 2016 survey of independent pharmacists indicates otherwise.~(3)