PhRMA Details Concerns Over Recent HHS Ruling

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a mid-January ruling relating to insurance enrollment, changes to the Premium Adjustment Percentage calculation, and manufacturer cost-sharing assistance programs. In recent years, these programs have been immensely useful in effective patient care—nearly 70% of patients with chronic diseases were found to be on a manufacturer cost-sharing assistance program.

In reference to the Premium Adjustment Percentage changes, PhRMA notes, “PhRMA continues to oppose HHS’s decision to incorporate individual market premium rates into the calculation of the annual premium adjustment percentage. Doing so automatically increases costs for enrollees by lowering the value of premium tax credits and establishes higher annual limitations on cost sharing. It is inappropriate for HHS to do this, especially when health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs remain unaffordable for many.” Read more here.

(Source: Gabby Migliara, PhRMA-The Catalyst, 1/27/21)