Throughout the country, millions of patients rely on cost-sharing assistance programs, which reduce patient out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications. For many individuals, these cost reductions are significant, allowing them to afford the medications necessary to treat acute and chronic conditions. Without reliable access to these medications, patients will face complications and worsened health outcomes.
On behalf of patients we represent, we strongly oppose recent policy changes in the 2021 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) that would allow the exclusion of manufacturer cost-sharing assistance from counting towards patients’ out-of-pocket maximums in the commercial market. This policy will prevent patients from accessing the medications they depend upon and create unnecessary barriers to maintaining effective treatment plans, especially during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
