Today at the Utah State Capitol, Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates testified before the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee about the negative impacts of copay accumulator adjustment policies. These policies can lead to skyrocketing medical bills, and in some cases, patients not being able to afford needed medication. The use of these policies often result in copay assistance provided by non-profits and pharmaceutical companies not counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket-maximum.
In her testimony, Yates told the Senate Committee:
“Section 1557 in the ACA describes that you are not allowed by benefit design to discriminate on the basis of disability. You’ve heard today (in previous testimony) that this does directly discriminate against people that are disabled. It is discouraging their treatments and therefore is against ACA Law. It is also not in compliance with the actual federal register release which is what they’re using to implement it. Under 45 CFR 156.130, it actually does say that they are not allowed to implement a copay accumulator if there is not a generic available. You’ve heard testimony today that there are not generics available for this. They are already in violation of federal law in multiple ways, and we need to stop it at the state level.”
Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, is the chief sponsor of S.B. 184 – Prescription Cost Amendments, which would require an insurer to calculate any amounts paid on behalf of an individual towards the individual’s cost sharing requirement, and would require a pharmacy benefit manager to calculate any amounts paid on behalf of an individual towards the individual’s cost sharing requirement.
The Senate Committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation by unanimous vote today. The bill will now proceed to the full Senate.
https://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/UT-Sentate-RYates-23-02-10.png6751200Doug Burtonhttps://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ark-logo@2x.pngDoug Burton2023-02-10 21:52:162023-02-10 22:35:48Ark’s Rebecca Yates Testified Today Before Utah Senate Committee About the Negative Impact of Copay Accumulator Adjustment Policies
Last Friday, January 20th, Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates met with lawmakers and concerned Utah parents at the Utah State Capitol to address the affordability of life-saving medications for chronically ill patients. At issue is the rising use of copay accumulator adjustment policies by insurance companies, which results in co-pay assistance provided by non-profits and pharmaceutical companies not counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket-maximum. This leads to skyrocketing medical bills, and in some cases, patients not being able to afford needed medication.
Along with the Utah All Copays Count Coalition, Yates met with Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who will sponsor a bill this session eliminating copay assistance adjustment policies. Read more here.
Once the bill has been assigned a number, we encourage all concerned Utahns to voice support for it. More details coming soon…
https://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Utah-All-CoPays.png6301200Doug Burtonhttps://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ark-logo@2x.pngDoug Burton2023-01-24 18:59:242023-01-25 13:33:40Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates Advocates at the Capitol for All Copays Count Coalition
Congress recently passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus package which includes two provisions regarding telehealth and long-term care. The package allows individuals to use existing retirement accounts to pay up to $2,500 each for long-term insurance without a 10% early withdraw penalty tax.
In addition, they have included a two-year extension of telehealth-related “regulatory flexibilities”, known as the CARES Act, that were put in place during the pandemic and were set to expire at the end of 2022.
A bipartisan deal regarding the Medicaid policy that increased funding and preventing states from removing people from Medicaid was given a new end date of April 1, 2023. This change will impact close to 85 million people enrolled in Medicaid.
Substance abuse prevention and expanding access to mental health treatment was also included with a $1.5 billion in state grants.
Navigating the complex world of health insurance can be daunting. The Ark Insurance Solutions team has the skill and experience to guide you. We’ll help you compare health plans to make the best decision based on your unique circumstances and budget. Give us a call at 801-901-7800 or click here to schedule an appointment with us.
https://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ark-GreatNews-access.png6301200Rebecca Yateshttps://www.ark-ins.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ark-logo@2x.pngRebecca Yates2023-01-03 23:46:462023-01-04 12:02:43Great news on access to Telehealth & Long-Term Care!
Ark’s Rebecca Yates Testified Today Before Utah Senate Committee About the Negative Impact of Copay Accumulator Adjustment Policies
/by Doug BurtonToday at the Utah State Capitol, Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates testified before the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee about the negative impacts of copay accumulator adjustment policies. These policies can lead to skyrocketing medical bills, and in some cases, patients not being able to afford needed medication. The use of these policies often result in copay assistance provided by non-profits and pharmaceutical companies not counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket-maximum.
In her testimony, Yates told the Senate Committee:
“Section 1557 in the ACA describes that you are not allowed by benefit design to discriminate on the basis of disability. You’ve heard today (in previous testimony) that this does directly discriminate against people that are disabled. It is discouraging their treatments and therefore is against ACA Law. It is also not in compliance with the actual federal register release which is what they’re using to implement it. Under 45 CFR 156.130, it actually does say that they are not allowed to implement a copay accumulator if there is not a generic available. You’ve heard testimony today that there are not generics available for this. They are already in violation of federal law in multiple ways, and we need to stop it at the state level.”
Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, is the chief sponsor of S.B. 184 – Prescription Cost Amendments, which would require an insurer to calculate any amounts paid on behalf of an individual towards the individual’s cost sharing requirement, and would require a pharmacy benefit manager to calculate any amounts paid on behalf of an individual towards the individual’s cost sharing requirement.
The Senate Committee gave the bill a favorable recommendation by unanimous vote today. The bill will now proceed to the full Senate.
Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates Advocates at the Capitol for All Copays Count Coalition
/by Doug BurtonLast Friday, January 20th, Ark Founder and CEO Rebecca Yates met with lawmakers and concerned Utah parents at the Utah State Capitol to address the affordability of life-saving medications for chronically ill patients. At issue is the rising use of copay accumulator adjustment policies by insurance companies, which results in co-pay assistance provided by non-profits and pharmaceutical companies not counting towards a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket-maximum. This leads to skyrocketing medical bills, and in some cases, patients not being able to afford needed medication.
Along with the Utah All Copays Count Coalition, Yates met with Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who will sponsor a bill this session eliminating copay assistance adjustment policies. Read more here.
Once the bill has been assigned a number, we encourage all concerned Utahns to voice support for it. More details coming soon…
Great news on access to Telehealth & Long-Term Care!
/by Rebecca YatesCongress recently passed a $1.7 trillion omnibus package which includes two provisions regarding telehealth and long-term care. The package allows individuals to use existing retirement accounts to pay up to $2,500 each for long-term insurance without a 10% early withdraw penalty tax.
In addition, they have included a two-year extension of telehealth-related “regulatory flexibilities”, known as the CARES Act, that were put in place during the pandemic and were set to expire at the end of 2022.
A bipartisan deal regarding the Medicaid policy that increased funding and preventing states from removing people from Medicaid was given a new end date of April 1, 2023. This change will impact close to 85 million people enrolled in Medicaid.
Substance abuse prevention and expanding access to mental health treatment was also included with a $1.5 billion in state grants.