UnitedHealth cuts asthma drug co-pay

In an attempt to keep patients taking their drugs, UnitedHealthcare has cut the co-payment for a group of asthma inhalers. This is not a new strategy for the health plan, which previously moved branded test strips and insulin products for diabetes into its lowest co-payment tier. This time the insurer's pharmacy benefit manager, UnitedHealth Pharmaceutical Solutions, has slashed the co-payment chlorofluorocarbon-free asthma drugs like Xopenex to its lowest tier, leaving patients to bear only $5 to $10 costs. CFC-free products are becoming central to medical practice, as CFC-emitting inhalers are considered an environmental risk. However, CFC-free products cost more, and are in short supply, which would normally increase their co-pay level. 

To learn more about UnitedHealthcare's co-payment strategy:
- read this United Press International piece [1]
- read this Hub Magazine article [2]