Share this article
Webinars

Same Condition, Different Costs

This spring, Autoimmune Association sponsored an online survey of autoimmune disease patients. One of the key findings was that almost nine of every 10 of those who responded said they wanted the president and Congress to work together to stop health insurance company policies, such as “step therapy” (forcing patients to use cheaper drugs until they are proven ineffective before approving coverage of a more expensive medicine), that stand between patients and their physicians. The same survey showed extremely high concerns over expensive co-pays for prescription drugs.

This topic is going to be explored in even greater detail next Tuesday, July 18, in a webinar hosted by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC). The webinar, “Same Condition, Different Drugs: Should Patients Pay Different Amounts?” will feature experts from NPC, the Midwest Business Group on Health, and Solid Benefits Guidance, as well as the director of the Center for Value-Based Insurance Design.

There are critical issues involved here. As medical science continues to achieve breakthroughs in developing more effective treatments for autoimmune diseases, we need a health insurance system that creates innovative avenues to make those medications affordable and accessible for patients and values the doctor/patient relationship. The NPC webinar will delve into these issues and discuss why an insurance system that forces patients with similar conditions to confront vastly different cost challenges simply isn’t acceptable. We encourage you to take part.

Share this article

Join our email list

Receive the latest blog articles, news, and more right to your inbox!

Related articles you might be interested in

Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Study Reveals Top Environmental Concerns Impacting Autoimmune Patients

When a hurricane hits or a wildfire spreads, most people worry about the obvious—flooding, smoke, power outages. But for people living with autoimmune...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Meet Makenzie: A Young Adult with Autoimmune Disease Navigating Life, Uncertainty, and Hope

Searching for a Diagnosis Makenzie Kaput is a 22-year-old who knows all too well the frustration of living with symptoms while still searching...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Raising Hope: Building a Community Around a Shared Purpose

For Madison Knapp, the Autoimmune Association is more than just a nonprofit—it’s personal. Diagnosed with her first autoimmune disease, vitiligo, at the age...
Autoimmune Association Image Do Not Touch

Meet the 2025 Young Adult Advisory Council: Empowering the Next Generation of Autoimmune Advocates

The Autoimmune Association announces the 2025 Young Adult Advisory Council (YAAC)—a dynamic group of 12 young leaders from across the United States and...

Find more resources on autoimmunity

Learn more about autoimmunity, diagnosis tips, how to find a physician, and more.