Optum Rx Takes Additional Steps to Lower the Cost of Insulin
09 Novembro 2023 - 12:42PM
Business Wire
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Optum Rx will place eight preferred
insulin products on tier one of standard commercial formularies,
limiting out-of-pocket spend to $35 or less
- Action is part of ongoing efforts to improve access and make
critical medications more affordable
Optum Rx, a pharmacy services company, today announced
additional actions to make insulin more affordable, moving several
rapid-, short- and long-acting insulins to tier one, which offers
the lowest cash price consumers pay. This is the latest effort by
Optum Rx to ensure consumers have access to affordable medications
and are protected from the high prices set by drug
manufacturers.
In all, Optum Rx will shift eight products, including all short-
and rapid-acting insulins, to tier one, or “preferred” status on
standard formularies. Three manufacturers will have products added
to tier one, including Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi.
In 2022, the company supported UnitedHealthcare in its work to
eliminate copays for consumers in group fully insured plans for
insulin and other critical drugs used to treat emergencies such as
severe allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, opioid overdoses and acute
asthma attacks. In total, 170 unique medications are part of the
Optum Rx Critical Drug Affordability program that includes a
recommended cost share of $35 or less for consumers.
Today more than 70% of people who use Optum Rx already pay less
than $35 per month on insulin. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, thanks to
the latest actions by Optum Rx, 98% of all Optum Rx consumers will
have access to insulin for $35 or less per month.
“I’ve seen firsthand how high prices for insulin and other
necessary medications can cause patients to limit or skip doses,”
said Dr. Patrick Conway, chief executive officer of Optum Rx.
“Medicine that people can’t afford is useless, and by taking this
important next step to change our formulary, we will lower costs
and improve access for more people who need this life-saving
medication. Our goal is to make all essential medicines
affordable.”
Drug manufacturers have the sole discretion over setting and
raising prescription drug prices. Pharmacy benefit managers,
including Optum Rx, serve as the counterweight to the manufacturers
and are the only player in the prescription drug supply chain
actively working to lower drug costs. This formulary decision
builds on a series of Optum Rx actions to help protect consumers
from high and rising drug prices and provide them with more
choices.
Last January, Optum Rx launched Price Edge, a consumer solution
that seamlessly compares available direct-to-consumer pricing for
traditional generic drugs with insurance pricing to ensure people
who use Optum Rx always get the lowest available prescription drug
price. Optum Rx will continue to roll out products, services and
policy initiatives to make medications more affordable and provide
consumers more information to make decisions on their health care.
Learn more about Optum Rx’s consumer affordability actions
here.
About Optum Rx
Optum Rx, UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) pharmacy care
business, is a pharmacy care business providing people with more
affordable access to prescription medications and therapies. This
strategy has proven to lower costs for clients and members, improve
quality of care and enhance the member experience. Powered by deep
clinical expertise and integrated data and analytics, our
full-spectrum pharmacy services simplify how consumers, clients and
partners navigate the pharmacy space to deliver improved
experiences, better health outcomes and a lower total cost of care.
Optum Rx is part of Optum, a leading information and
technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping
make the health system work better for everyone. For more
information, visit optum.com/optumrx or follow Optum Rx on
LinkedIn.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231109823642/en/
Bryan Fisher bryan.fisher@uhg.com
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Abr 2024 até Mai 2024
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Mai 2023 até Mai 2024