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UnitedHealthcare Program Will Bar Copay Coupons For Six Specialty Drugs

 
• By Cathy Kelly

The drugs targeted by the policy taking effect Jan. 1 are: Extavia and Gilenya for multiple sclerosis, Cellcept for transplant patients, Humira for rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis and Victrelis and PegIntron for hepatitis C.

UnitedHealthCare has announced that pharmacies participating in its Designated Specialty Pharmacy network will no longer redeem manufacturer-sponsored coupons as an offset to member costing-sharing payments for six branded specialty drugs beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Copay coupons are used by drug firms to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing for private insurance members.

The United policy impacts drugs that have lower-priced competition. It is meant to “create a financial incentive for members participating...

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