Posted by Michael Wonder on 07 Mar 2018
UnitedHealthcare will pass some rebates to consumers, but will this really lower drug prices?
6 March 2018 - Seeking to address rising prescription drug costs, UnitedHealthcare said that it will pass along some rebates that the big insurer receives from drug makers, a move that may provide relief to a small portion of consumers, but was also criticised for failing to address the larger problem of rising medicine prices.
Starting next year, the insurer will redirect a majority of rebates for around 7.5 million people, and expects to reduce costs from just a few dollars to more than $1,000 for each prescription.
However, the initiative will not include an estimated 18.6 million consumers who are covered by so-called self-insured plans, in which employers pay for health care benefits.
