Patient perceptions of copay card utilization and policies

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Patient Advocacy
• Pharmaceutical Access

Background:

• Copay cards aim to reduce patient out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses for medications.
• Copay adjustment programs (CAPs) may redirect copay card benefits, increasing patient OOP costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore patient perceptions of copay cards and CAPs.
• To understand how these programs impact medication affordability and adherence.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, exploratory focus group study.
• 33 patients with chronic conditions participated.
• Data collected via surveys and virtual sessions.

Main Results:

• Patients view copay cards as crucial for managing financial burden and improving health.
• Medication adherence was linked to copay card use, particularly among Black respondents.
• Many patients were unaware of CAPs and recommended increased transparency and education.

Conclusions:

• Patients rely on copay cards for medication access and adherence.
• CAPs can inadvertently increase patient OOP expenses.
• Enhanced patient education and industry-provider partnerships are needed to ensure access to copay card benefits.