These Obamacare Health Plans Limit Access to HIV Meds

This year, only 16 percent of the Silver health insurance plans covered all the top HIV drug regimens with a cost to the consumer of less than $100 per month per regimen, according to a new analysis by Avalere Health. The Silver plan is one of the four “metal” categories of health insurance plans offered under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare). “Ensuring individuals living with HIV have affordable access to their medications is critical both for maintaining the health of the patient but also for improving public health by limiting disease transmission,” said Caroline Pearson, senior vice president at Avalere, in the report. What’s more, the study notes that if people have to pay high out-of-pocket costs, they are less likely to take their meds over time. According to the report, in 31 states and the District of Columbia, a majority of Silver plans covered fewer than seven of the top regimens and/or required cost-sharing of more than $200 per month. In only Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Oklahoma and Rhode Island did a majority of health plans cover all 10 regimens with cost-sharing of $100 or less per month.. As open enrollment for 2016 health exchanges begins, people with HIV must assess whether the plans they need offer broad and affordable access.