Research: Health Insurance

Romley JA et al.Survey results show that adults are willing to pay higher insurance premiums for generous coverage of specialty drugs. Health Aff (Millwood) 2012 Apr;31(4):683-90.

Generous coverage of specialty drugs for cancer and other diseases may be valuable not only for sick patients currently using these drugs, but also for healthy people who recognize the potential need for them in the future. This study estimated how healthy people value insurance coverage of specialty drugs, defined as high-cost drugs that treat cancer and other serious health conditions like multiple sclerosis, by quantifying willingness to pay via a survey. US adults were estimated to be willing to pay an extra $12.94 on average in insurance premiums per month for generous specialty-drug coverage-in effect, $2.58 for every dollar in out-of-pocket costs that they would expect to pay with a less generous insurance plan. Given the value that people assign to generous coverage of specialty drugs, having high cost sharing on these drugs seemingly runs contrary to what people value in their health insurance.
 
"In the UK we are very lucky to have the NHS and that it is free at the point of delivery, but not all countries cover health treatments in the same way. The NHS is also very good at bullying Pharma to drive down costs; the old story is that central procurement saves money. The down side is that if you live in a country with a "true market" in healthcare you are under a lot of stress about being able to afford medication."

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