Kaiser Analysts Find Increase In Medicare Rx Cost Sharing

About 50% of national Medicare drug plans have increased the amount enrollees pay for brand-name drugs.

Analysts at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park, Calif., report that finding in a review of the Medicare drug plan market.

Since 2006, average cost-sharing for a 30-day supply of “non-preferred” brand-name drugs in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans has increased by 29%, to $71.31, while average cost-sharing for “preferred” brand drugs has increased by 11%, to $29.86. Cost sharing for generic drugs has remained fairly stable since 2006, the analysts report.