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Trump to sign the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act today!!!


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2018 Oct 10, 8:07am   3,869 views  11 comments

by zzyzzx   ➕follow (5)   💰tip   ignore  

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s2554/summary

Americans overspend by an estimated $135 million on prescriptions through their insurance, in cases when they would cost less out of pocket. Yet pharmacists are often under gag orders from telling customers about that discrepancy.

A new bill introduced in the Senate would end this practice.

A “pharmacy gag clause” is a tactic under which a pharmacist may not inform customers which of the two options would cost less for a certain product: using their health insurance or paying fully out of pocket.

These clauses are usually instituted by an insurer or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), the most famous of which include CVS Health, Express Scripts, or United Health. They’re put in for cases in which most consumers would save money by paying out of pocket — if only they knew. Pharmacy benefit managers pocket the difference.

States are increasingly banning the practice, including three in March alone: Mississippi, South Dakota, and Virginia. The total is now 14 states, from red states like the ones mentioned above to blue states like Minnesota and Connecticut.
What the bill does

However, there is no such law on a federal level. The Know the Lowest Price Act would ban the practice of pharmacy gag clauses.

Introduced on March 14 by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), the bill is numbered S. 2554.

What supporters say

Supporters argue the legislation would ensure full transparency when consumers make purchasing decisions, as they do with nutrition facts on food and drink products for example.

“Multiple reports have exposed how this egregious practice has harmed consumers, such as one customer who used his insurance to pay $129 for a drug when he could have paid $18 out of pocket,” Senate lead sponsor Collins said in a press release.

“Americans have the right to know which payment method — insurance or cash — would provide the most savings when purchasing prescription drugs,” Collins continued. “By prohibiting gag clauses, our legislation would take concrete action to lower the cost of prescription drugs, saving consumers money.”

Comments 1 - 11 of 11        Search these comments

1   Goran_K   2018 Oct 10, 8:43am  

Man, what a Nazi.
2   Strategist   2018 Oct 10, 9:03am  

zzyzzx says
Americans overspend by an estimated $135 million on prescriptions through their insurance, in cases when they would cost less out of pocket. Yet pharmacists are often under gag orders from telling customers about that discrepancy.

A new bill introduced in the Senate would end this practice.


I'm shocked this practice is even legal. What a rip off.
I expect pharmacies and companies to look out for my interests, not stab me every time I turn my back. Fucking scumbags. I hold the government responsible for allowing this scam in the first place.
3   CBOEtrader   2018 Oct 10, 9:07am  

In practice this seems silly.

I have clients who bring multiple discount programs in and ask the pharmacist which will result in the lowest price.

Nor sure why this bill is needed
4   Strategist   2018 Oct 10, 9:11am  

CBOEtrader says
In practice this seems silly.

I have clients who bring multiple discount programs in and ask the pharmacist which will result in the lowest price.

Nor sure why this bill is needed


I have my insurance, and that's it. I was not even aware my out of pocket cost could be less if I went without the insurance for some prescriptions.
5   CBOEtrader   2018 Oct 10, 9:21am  

Yeah heres a tip. Always check local prices on goodrx.com . Also, check your RX's tier level. Is it generic, preferred, specialty, etc... all generics can be bought at walmart for $5 out of pocket.
6   curious2   2018 Oct 10, 9:26am  

CBOEtrader says
I have clients who bring multiple discount programs in and ask the pharmacist which will result in the lowest price.

Nor sure why this bill is needed


In some states, the pharmacist can be fired for answering honestly, because an honest answer would violate the gag deal between the pharmacy and the insurer/PBM. With this law, the pharmacist can answer honestly without risking retaliation.
7   zzyzzx   2018 Oct 10, 11:16am  

Strategist says
I hold the government responsible for allowing this scam in the first place.


It's all Obama's fault!!!
#Obamasucks
8   MisdemeanorRebel   2018 Oct 10, 12:05pm  

Goran_K says
Man, what a Nazi.


Why didn't the 2009-2010 Congress and Obama do this?
9   CBOEtrader   2018 Oct 10, 12:06pm  

TwoScoopsOfSpaceForce says
Goran_K says
Man, what a Nazi.


Why didn't the 2009-2010 Congress and Obama do this?


It was either a provision they didnt catch or gave this to the carriers explicitly to make this arrangement more profitable for them.
10   MisdemeanorRebel   2018 Oct 10, 12:07pm  

CBOEtrader says
It was either a provision they didnt catch or gave this to the carriers explicitly to make this arrangement more profitable for them.



Corey "RX Profit" Booker must be mad today.
11   CBOEtrader   2018 Oct 10, 12:11pm  

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/18/us/politics/health-law-turns-obama-and-insurers-into-allies.html

"But since the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, the relationship between the Obama administration and insurers has evolved into a powerful, mutually beneficial partnership that has been a boon to the nation’s largest private health plans and led to a profitable surge in their Medicaid enrollment.

The insurers in turn have provided crucial support to Mr. Obama in court battles over the health care law, including a case now before the Supreme Court challenging the federal subsidies paid to insurance companies on behalf of low- and moderate-income consumers."

The second paragraph is the best. The insurance companies have provides crucial support to legally argue they get $billions in taxpayer money.

Yes, your honor, this $billion in profits I made off the taxpayer last year is totes legal.

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