A recent poll found that most Americans over 50 take at least two prescription medications, many say drug costs strain their budgets, and they aren’t asking for or receiving adequate information from health professionals about lower-cost options.
Managed Care Weekly Digest reported on the data from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, which suggested doctors and pharmacists could do more for patients by discussing and exploring less expensive alternatives. Addressing this problem is crucial to long-term health: Taking medications as prescribed is essential, but cost often leads patients to skimp on doing so.
Preeti Malani, M.D., director of the poll and a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, was quoted as saying, “This represents an opportunity for patients, clinicians—as well as health systems, insurers, and policymakers.”
There’s a great need for a better understanding of drug costs because out-of-pocket costs can vary significantly for older adults depending on their insurance coverage for prescription drugs and on the price of the drug set by the manufacturer.
While health professionals can help patients identify options that might reduce copayments or overall price, and recommend generic equivalents when available, physicians usually don’t have access to information about what drugs cost, based on what insurance patients have. It helps if patients bring this information to appointments, as well as talk with pharmacists who may better understand insurance plans and drug prices than physicians do.
Healthclx.com is a mechanism for healthcare cost transparency, by uncovering these costs online for consumers to price-compare. Healthclx.com is a tool that can be used to make informed decisions about the most affordable care.
Source –
Managed Care Weekly Digest: “Older Americans don’t get—or seek—enough help from doctors & pharmacists on drug costs, poll finds”
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