Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Cigna Cuts HIV Drug Costs To Settle Discrimination Case
The Wall Street Journal: Cigna Agrees To Restructure HIV Drug Benefits
Facing allegations of discriminating against people with HIV and AIDS, Cigna Corp. agreed to restructure the HIV prescription drug benefits in its 2015 plans in Florida, making them less costly and burdensome for such patients. The AIDS Institute and the National Health Law Program filed a complaint in May with the federal government, charging that Cigna and three other insurers unlawfully discriminated against people with HIV and AIDS in their Florida health plans by placing all HIV medications, including generics, on specialty drug tiers, where patients are required to pay 40% to 50% of the cost. (Beck, 11/7)
The New York Times: Cigna Agrees To Reduce H.I.V. Drug Costs For Some Florida Patients
The health insurer Cigna has agreed to reduce the out-of-pocket costs that patients in Florida must pay for H.I.V. drugs, settling a complaint filed by advocacy groups, who said the drug pricing system in the state’s health care plans was discriminatory. The groups indicated Florida could serve as a test case for what they contend is discriminatory pricing by other insurers around the country. Under the settlement with Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation, Cigna will place a $200 a month limit on the amount that patients have to pay for some commonly prescribed drugs like Atripla, and make other changes to make the drugs less costly and easier to get. The changes apply only to people who enroll in the company’s plans through the new health insurance exchanges, and will take effect for 2015 plans. (Thomas, 11/7)
