Community post
Navigating Copay Accumulators - Any Advice?
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Hello All,
After my first relapse I was put on Dara/Pomalyst/dex for the last 3 years. Since my Copay was $7,500/cycle, I used the Bristol Myer Squibbs Mckessen Copay Assistance program that credited me $15k/year and covered my OOP max in the first month.
As of this year, my commercial insurance snuck in a sentence about the new "Out of pocket protection plan" (Officially called a Copay Accumulator) into the 100+ page benefit package. Basically, I am no longer able to put the credit from BMS's Mckessen Copay Assistance toward my OOP max. WHY WOULD I CONTINUE TO USE COPAY ASSISTANCE THEN??? I was very surprised to hear that I owed $5137.23 (what was left to pay towards my OOP max) before I could get my meds.
So, my insurance company benefits from the $15k that I applied for and I don't.
After a supreme court ruling 9/2023, it looks like Copay Accumulators are now illegal to use for medicare (see articles) if you do not have a generic alternative and also in some states.
https://natlawreview.com/article/court-strikes-down-hhs-rule-copay-accumulators-implications-health-plans-and-pbms
https://ipghealth.com/news/update-to-copay-accumulator-programs-recent-court-decision-encounters-setback-with-appeal
I think this is unethical and should be banned from all states. The only option I've been given by my insurance is to complain via a grievance form. Any suggestions from the group? I am reaching out to my representative and also the insurance commissioner of my state (WI). Thank you!
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