Costlier PDPs, Cheaper MA-PDs Participate in CMS Insulin Demo

by Leslie Small

In 2021, about half of enhanced stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and a little more than a third of Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans will participate in a new demonstration that aims to lower diabetic seniors' out-of-pocket costs by capping copays at $35 for a broad set of insulin products, according to a new analysis by consulting firm Avalere Health.

Among the 310 enhanced PDPs that opted to participate in CMS's Part D Senior Savings Model for 2021, the average enrollment-weighted premium is $57.53 — $23.46 higher than the average premium for non-participating plans, the analysis found. But in the MA-PD space, the average enrollment-weighted premium for the 1,287 participating plans is $10.36 less than the cost of non-participating plans ($22.74 versus $33.10).

Tom Kornfield, one of the co-authors of the Avalere report and a senior consultant with the firm, says one reason why PDPs with higher premiums tended to participate in the demonstration may be that "the additional protections [for consumers] cost the plans more money, so they’re increasing their bids as a result of that."

Regarding why the average premium for participating MA-PD plans is lower than non-participating plans, Kornfield notes that, unlike stand-alone PDPs, such plans can reap the benefits of any cost savings associated with the demonstration’s ability to improve medication adherence and diabetes management.

CMS unveiled the Part D Senior Savings Model in March, and in May it said that 1,750 PDPs and MA-PD plans applied to participate, as well as the three major insulin manufacturers: Eli Lilly and Co., Novo Nordisk Inc. and Sanofi SA.

For seniors who sign up for plans that participate in the new model, the main benefit is a maximum copay of $35 each for a month’s supply of insulin while in the deductible, initial coverage and coverage-gap phases of the Part D benefit, rather than cost-sharing amounts that vary by coverage phase.

Kornfield says he was somewhat surprised that so many plan sponsors opted into the demonstration for 2021. "I don’t know that I anticipated quite as much participation, but having said that, the major insulin manufacturers are all voluntarily participating in the demonstration, so I think that makes a big difference."

From RADAR on Drug Benefits