Prescription Drugs - Research and Data from KFF

Most Antiretrovirals Covered by Medicare Part D (as of 2017) Are Brand-Name, Single Source Medications

Dec 18, 2019

Feature

Most ARVs Covered by Medicare Part D are Brand Single Source Download…

Poll: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans Taking Prescription Drugs Say It’s Difficult to Afford Their Medicines, including Larger Shares Among Those with Health Issues, with Low Incomes and Nearing Medicare Age

Mar 1, 2019

News Release

As the Trump Administration and Congress weigh policy options to address high prescription drug prices, a fourth of people taking prescription drugs (24%) and seniors taking drugs (23%) say it is difficult for them to afford their medications, the latest KFF Health Tracking Poll finds.

KFF Health Tracking Poll – February 2019: Prescription Drugs

Mar 1, 2019

Feature

With increased national attention towards prescription drug costs, this poll examines the public’s experiences with prescription medicine and their views on current policy proposals brought forth by congressional lawmakers and the Trump administration, including international reference pricing, transparency in drug advertisements, and negotiations with drug companies. The survey also dives into the attitudes and experiences of adults, 65 and older – a group that is more likely to report taking prescription medication and shopped for prescription drug coverage.

Utilization and Spending Trends in Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drugs, 2014-2017

Feb 15, 2019

Issue Brief

Although the outpatient drug benefit accounts for only 6% of total Medicaid spending, drug spending has increased by double digits in recent years, and is expected to grow faster than most other Medicaid services in the next 10 years. This issue brief examines drug spending and utilization from 2014 through 2017 by drug group, brand and generic status, and biologic status to understand the causes for this increase in spending.

The Out-of-Pocket Cost Burden for Specialty Drugs in Medicare Part D in 2019

Feb 1, 2019

Issue Brief

Medicare Part D has helped to make prescription drugs more affordable for people with Medicare, yet many beneficiaries continue to face high out-of-pocket costs for their medications. Specialty tier drugs are a particular concern for Part D enrollees in this context. This analysis draws on data from Medicare’s Plan Finder website to calculate expected annual 2019 out-of-pocket costs for 30 specialty tier drugs used to treat four health conditions—cancer, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Initiative 18|11: What Can We Do About The Cost Of Health Care?

Jan 15, 2019

Issue Brief

This conference report summarizes discussions at a March 2018 conference in Washington with 30 leaders from the health care community to launch Initiative 18/11, a partnership between the Society of Actuaries and KFF to address the rising cost of health care in the United States. It also lays out the next steps for the initiative.

Premiums for Employer-Sponsored Family Health Coverage Rise 5% to Average $19,616; Single Premiums Rise 3% to $6,896

Oct 3, 2018

News Release

1 in 5 Large Employers Gather Data from Workers’ Mobile Apps, FitBits or Other Wearable Devices San Francisco, Calif. – Annual family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 5 percent to average $19,616 this year, extending a seven-year run of moderate increases, finds the 2018 benchmark Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey released today.

Poll: The ACA’s Pre-Existing Condition Protections Remain Popular with the Public, including Republicans, As Legal Challenge Looms This Week

Sep 5, 2018

News Release

Public Not Confident in President Trump’s Calls on Drug Companies to Lower Prices As a federal court considers a challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s constitutionality, the public, including most Republicans, wants protections for people with pre-existing conditions preserved, the latest Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll finds.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll – Late Summer 2018: The Election, Pre-Existing Conditions, and Surprises on Medical Bills

Sep 5, 2018

Feature

The latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll continues to find pre-existing conditions as a widespread concern with most Americans saying it is very important that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) protections for people with pre-existing conditions remain law. With health care costs continuing to be a major topic in the 2018 campaigns, the poll looks at the public’s experiences with unexpected medical bills and finds that this tops a list of possible problems people could face. In addition, the poll examines the public’s views of President Trump’s contentious relationship with prescription drug companies.