- Amazon Pharmacy has extended its RxPass prescription drug subscription program to include Prime members enrolled in Medicare insurance. Launched in January 2023, RxPass offers Prime members unlimited access to 60 generic medications, delivering them directly to customers’ homes for a flat monthly fee of $5. The service includes 24/7 access to pharmacists and same-day delivery in select cities. According to Amazon Pharmacy’s vice president John Love, Medicare beneficiaries could save up to $70 annually if they use at least one medication covered under RxPass, with potential for greater savings if multiple medications are prescribed. Amazon estimates that widespread adoption of RxPass among Medicare beneficiaries could reduce Medicare spending by nearly $2 billion and decrease out-of-pocket costs. (Articles here and here)
- According to an analysis by Sun Life, cardiovascular conditions, including heart defects, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension, rose to the second position for stop-loss reimbursements in 2023, marking the first time they surpassed blood cancers over a four-year period from 2020 to 2023. Sun Life reported that members spent nearly $1.2 billion on cardiovascular conditions during this period, with costs increasing by 33 percent, a rate higher than expected based on medical inflation. Within cardiovascular disorders, heart failure accounted for the highest percentage of claims at 16.1 percent, with an average member age of 54. Acute myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerosis followed as the next most common conditions contributing to the rising reimbursement costs. Additionally, cardiovascular disorders ranked fourth in terms of medical categories with claims exceeding $1,000,000. (Article here)
June 21, 2024
Providers | Tea Leaves