Read on Twitter
All I want for Christmas: to not be forced to take my patients with severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who are well controlled on a biologic off their medication. An URGENT health policy action alert thread for Massachusetts patients and physicians. 1/
In 2021 a number of insurance plans are taking a biologic medication that we use in our patients with severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis called Cosentyx off their formulary. Medications like this become “off formulary” frequently to save insurers and the health system $. 2/
Changes in formularies are a way to keep drug pricing in check - fine. What is not fine and in fact is egregious, unethical and unfair is that several insurers @BCBSMA @Cigna & @ExpressScripts are planning to NOT grandfather in patients who are well controlled on this med. 3/
This means that we are going to have to take all of our patients covered by these insurers who are on this biologic OFF their drug and switch them to an entirely new medication risking disease flare resulting in pain, itch, and discomfort for our patients. 4/
Simply put: this is bad medicine. Over 30 states have passed step therapy reform legislation. This legislation does not get rid of step therapy but is designed to ensure better transparency, safety, and protection for our patients going through the step therapy process. 5/
As part of this, step therapy reform would ensure that insurers cannot stop covering a medication that a patient is stable on. 6/
This year it is cosentyx. Next year it could be whatever medication is most important to you, your family, and your patients. This legislation passed through the @MA_Senate this year under the leadership of @JulianCyr . 7/
In order to be passed into law by the @MassLegislature it needs to be passed by the MA House in the best few weeks. Doctors, students, patients please - shins light on this issue and tweet, call, email your MA Representatives asking them to pass step therapy legislation 8/
You can find your representatives here: https://malegislature.gov/search/findmylegislator. The health of your patients, your family, the Commonwealth, and you all depend on it. End.
