Tiered cost sharing

Insurance plans around the world that had traditionally covered the full cost of prescription drugs have begun, in the last decade or so, to impose either deductibles or various forms of tiered cost sharing on patients. 

Specific comparisons may help to explain the variety of options available to enrollees. In 2007, there were three American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)-associated plans Medicare Rx had an average monthly premium of 27.83, Medicare Rx Saver had a premium of 17.83, and Medicare Rx Enhanced had a premium of 46.30 (Hoadley et al., 2006). Humana also had three plans with premiums of 15.17, 22.03, or 80.43 for standard, enhanced, and complete coverage, respectively. As well as variation in premiums, there also was variation in other benefit cost-sharing characteristics, such as copays and tiered medications. 

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