The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) held a public hearing yesterday on proposed amendments to the Health Safety Net (HSN) regulations.
The proposed changes raise copayments for generic drugs from $1 to $2, effective February 1, 2009. These increases match copay hikes in MassHealth. Copays for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol medication will remain at $1, and brand name drugs will continue to cost safety net patients $3. The proposed amendments also clarify provisions relating to claims for individuals with pending disability determinations and claims for medical hardship. The changes add consumer protections and further restrictions on how providers can collect payments from low-income patients.
Pat Edraos of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, a member of the ACT!! Coalition, voiced opposition to the proposed Health Safety Net changes. Edraos criticized the increase in copays as a “clumsy” way to control prescription drug costs and a financial burden on many of the low-income patients that rely on the Health Safety Net. Edraos added that Community Health Centers will suffer because they will not be able to collect the increased copays from many patients. In addition, Edraos also expressed concern that the requirements for collection of debt outlined in the HSN regulations pose a significant administrative challenge to Community Health Centers, as it costs health centers as much to collect debt as the debt itself
The ACT!! Coalition echoes Pat’s concerns with the proposed changes to the Health Safety Net. We recognize the budget pressures faced by the state this year and we appreciate the consistency between MassHealth and the Health Safety Net on copay levels. However, we worry that increased copays are an obstacle to accessible health care, especially for our most vulnerable patients, and a burden to the community health centers dedicated to providing quality health care to these patients.
Catherine Hammons
