Plans continue to raise copayments

MANAGED CARE September 2005. ©MediMedia USA

You've read the stories and heard all the news: Insurers and employers are passing more and more health care costs along to members.

But how much have pharmacy copayments risen? NDCHealth reports that in the top 10 therapeutic categories, the greatest increases were in antiseizure agents, inhaled steroids, and antiarthritics. At the bottom were antihypertensives and antihyperlipidemics.

Copayment tiering for top insurers

Average dollar copayment, 2003 and 2004

Source: NDC Dynamic Claims. Based on approved claims.