On Monday, one of the biggest pharmacy benefit managers in the drug world, Express Scripts, said it would begin offering a lower rate for a select group of frequently
used drugs to people without health insurance, or to those who are stuck in plans with such high deductibles they couldn’t otherwise afford their medications.
The program, InsideRx, is a subsidiary of Express Scripts
and will work when consumers sign up for the service, which is free, and present a discount card or a mobile app to pharmacies around the country — including major chains like CVS and Walgreens, and at Kroger supermarkets — to get discounts that average around one-third off the list price.
“Drug prices are so high that even with a discount, medication will unfortunately be out of reach for many uninsured or underinsured Americans,”
Mr. Wakana said, questioning the motives of pharmacy benefit managers such as Express Scripts, which are known as P. B.M.s.
Timothy C. Wentworth, the chief executive of Express Scripts, said about 30 million Americans either have no insurance or high deductible plans.
It comes just days after Republicans passed a health care bill
that some estimate could leave millions of Americans without health insurance, and when there is considerable uncertainty among various layers of the nation’s health care industries.
Express Scripts to Offer Cheaper Drugs for Uninsured Customers -
By KATIE THOMASMAY 8, 2017
It is one of the most acute indignities of being uninsured in this country: Those with
the least ability to pay are asked to spend the most for their prescription drugs.
