Biologics trend leads pharmaceuticals

The general stabilization in per-capita medical claims cost — what services cost the health plan before the member is charged — for the managed care industry has not, for the most part, spilled over to biologics, according to a survey by the Segal Co. The consulting company's ninth annual survey of health insurers, PBMs, and third-party administrators forecasts "continued declines in trends in 2006 for every coverage surveyed."

However, the company adds that, "the projected trend for biotechnology or specialty drugs is increasing at a rapid rate: 21.6 percent in 2006, approximately 8 percentage points above aggregate retail trend. The 2006 projection was obtained through a survey taken in summer 2005.

Burden of supplying pharmaceuticals, biologics

Note: No figures available for cost of biologics in 2004.

SOURCE: 2006 Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey.