Don’t penalize patients for shopping smart on drugs — reward them

Patients shouldn’t be penalized for finding a better deal on their prescriptions.

Too often, they are.

Those who pay out of pocket for medications — often at lower prices through direct-to-consumer platforms — typically receive no credit toward their health plan’s . Higher-priced drugs purchased through an insurer’s preferred channels, on the other hand, do count.

CORPORATE HOSPITALS ARE DRIVING UP HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR THE REST OF US

That makes little sense. A new bill from Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) aims to fix that inequity. His Every Dollar Counts Act would require insurers to count out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs toward a patient’s deductible — including purchases made outside traditional insurance channels.

It’s a simple, pro-consumer reform with the potential to improve both costs and competition.

Start with fairness. A dollar spent on medication is a dollar spent, regardless of where the purchase occurs. There is no sound policy reason to punish