For many of these conditions, forcing a patient to change a drug therapy because an insurer or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) has a better financial deal can cause direct harm to the patient and add to the overall cost of treatment. Patients are bound by the terms of the health plan they’ve selected and cannot change coverage until the next open enrollment period. Yet, nothing currently stops PBMs or health plans from changing their drug formularies mid-year and requiring patients to switch drugs.
Sometimes called “non-medical switching,” changes to a drug’s coverage or benefit class can lead to compromised care by requiring patients to switch from medications with demonstrated effectiveness to ones that may not provide the same therapeutic benefit.
The MMA is advocating for legislation to prohibit health plans and PBMs from forcing a patient who is currently receiving a drug therapy from changing drugs until the end of the patient’s contract year.
Prior Authorization Issue Brief
HF 58 – Mid-year changes to covered drugs by insurers
The Prior Authoization Burden (Nov/Dec 2014 Minnesota Medicine Article)
Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA)
ePA Recorded Webinar (event took place Dec. 3, 2015)
There are many ways to get involved in MMA advocacy for physicians and their patients.
See the full list of MMA Priority issues and find information and resources useful to your practice.