US insurers target Rx drug costs, transparency urged

Health insurers in the US Mid-Atlantic region, covering Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, are adopting multiple strategies to reduce their prescription drug costs, according to research published by HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a market intelligence firm specializing in managed health care. Among the techniques adopted by the region's insurers are tiered pricing, co-payment waivers for generic statins and robotic prescription dispensing.

The impetus for such strategies comes from data showing that the average monthly pharmacy costs to insurers per member increased from $26 to $33 in the period 2004-2006. The survey found that three major health insurers, Aetna, CIGNA and Kaiser Permanente have adopted "creative strategies and innovative automation." Jan Shuxteau, a HealthLeaders-InterStudy analyst, added that, "ultimately, the solution to high costs in health care is a strong move toward wellness and prevention."

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