Article

Cancer Patients and Others Taking Pricey Drugs Could Pay Thousands in Health Overhaul Plans

WASHINGTON — Cancer patients could face high costs for medications under President Barack Obama’s health care law, industry analysts and advocates warn.

Where you live could make a huge difference in what you’ll pay.

To try to keep premiums low, some states are allowing insurers to charge patients a hefty share of the cost for expensive medications used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other life-altering chronic diseases.

Such “specialty drugs” can cost thousands of dollars a month, and in California, patients would pay up to 30 percent of the cost. For one widely used cancer drug, Gleevec, the patient could pay more than $2,000 for a month’s supply, says the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Read the full story here: http://wapo.st/18EXZO0

Source: The Washington Post

Related Videos
Dr Cesar Davila-Chapa
1 expert in this video
1 expert in this video
Matias Sanchez, MD
Sandra Cuellar, PharmD
Matias Sanchez, MD
AJMC Managed Markets Network Logo
CH LogoCenter for Biosimilars Logo