Trump Announces Prescription Plan: Insulin Coverage Changes

[endoNP, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP]

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President Trump on Tuesday will announce a prescription plan drastically reducing the cost of insulin for American seniors who rely on Medicare ...

The deal struck with the nation’s insulin manufacturers and health care providers will limit the co-pay for a month’s supply of insulin to $35 ...

The initiative will apply to the 1 in 3 Medicare enrollees who have diabetes, which is approximately 3 million people.

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The plan, effective from January 2021, will save seniors approximately ...

Read in its entirety: Trump slashes cost of insulin for Medicare enrollees to $35 a month

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I am glad for seniors, but this announcement was short on details and I am suspicious of the private /public partnership aspect of this deal. But what about all the non-seniors that take insulin? The link article speaks about a groom who rationed his insulin to save money. I am going to guess this was a T1D , less than 65 years old. When do they get a break?

My spouse takes Tresiba that his insurance will no longer cover. It costs about $500 a month.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

That discount amount available ONLY if MC Advantage/MC drug plan insurance companies signs up for this added benefit.

CMS: President Trump Announces Lower Out of Pocket Insulin Costs for Medicare’s Seniors

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The Part D Senior Savings Model – which was announced on March 11, 2020 – is a voluntary model that tests the impact on insulin access and care by participating Part D enhanced alternative plans offering lower out-of-pocket costs, at a maximum $35 copay for a month’s supply, for a broad range of insulins.

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/president-trump-announces-lower-out-pocket-insulin-costs-medicares-seniors

[heron, ASN, RN]

I notice that the price of the insulin hasn’t changed, just the co-pay. My purely personal theory is that the price charged to Medicare will skyrocket as soon as the new copay goes into effect. A little “government teat” action behind the scenes, where the public is unlikely to notice. Meanwhile, the public outcry over the existing price gouging is likely to quiet down considerably now. Win/win for Big Pharma, doncha think?

[toomuchbaloney]

12 hours ago, heron said:

I notice that the price of the insulin hasn’t changed, just the co-pay. My purely personal theory is that the price charged to Medicare will skyrocket as soon as the new copay goes into effect. A little “government teat” action behind the scenes, where the public is unlikely to notice. Meanwhile, the public outcry over the existing price gouging is likely to quiet down considerably now. Win/win for Big Pharma, doncha think?

And for Trump, he hopes.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Medicare enrollees could get insulin for $35 a month, if they pick the right drug plan

https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/most-medicare-enrollees-could-get-insulin-35-month-20200526.html

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

1 hour ago, toomuchbaloney said:

And for Trump, he hopes.

Yeah, he's hoping that seniors who survive COVID-19 will still vote for him in November.

[toomuchbaloney]

18 minutes ago, NRSKarenRN said:

Medicare enrollees could get insulin for $35 a month, if they pick the right drug plan

https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/most-medicare-enrollees-could-get-insulin-35-month-20200526.html

Most Medi-gap coverage is not available in Alaska. They advertise here for some reason, though.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Internet service providers will pull ads to members based on keywords in websites visited. That's why I get chefwear ads when I've posted about my chef son here...

Medicare plans can be viewed here--new plans for 2021 available oct 15th, 2020

https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?lang=en

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Sounds like those of us under 65 are going to be screwed with higher prices for our insulin as if it isn't absolutely ridiculous now.