How Medicaid and CHIP shield children from the rising costs of prescription drugs

How Medicaid and CHIP shield children from the rising costs of prescription drugs

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Future of children's health care coverage
Author(s):
Hoadley, Jack, author
Alker, Joan, author
Contributor(s):
Georgetown University. Center for Children and Families issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, Center for Children and Families, July 2017
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Drug Costs
Insurance Coverage
Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services
Medicaid
Child
United States
State Children's Health Insurance Program (U.S.)
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
KEY FINDINGS. (1) Nearly a quarter of U.S. children use at least one prescription drug a month, most commonly treating such conditions as asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and infections. Medicaid guarantees that most enrolled children who need drugs receive them without any financial barriers. (2) Drug costs are projected to rise faster than overall health costs, which themselves are projected to continue rising faster than general inflation. Although Medicaid children are generally protected, cost increases place fiscal pressure on the state and federal governments that pay for the drugs. (3) Preferred drug lists and prior authorization can help states secure price discounts, but an effective process for exceptions and appeals is necessary to ensure access. (4) Price discounts achieved through Medicaid's drug rebate program have saved states and the federal government billions of dollars in purchasing prescription drugs, but that program does not address all sources of high drug prices. The Medicaid rebate program should be extended to the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (13 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101770807 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101770807