Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Self-Assessment Protocol for Predicting Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Coverage of Specialty Drugs for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis by Commercial Insurance Companies
Christine Learned1, Sara Alsukait1, Kristin R Fiumara2
1Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Background:
Specialty medications provide effective treatment with limited adverse effects to patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; however, variable coverage and high costs often create a barrier to treatment for patients with commercial health insurance.
Objective:
We aimed to evaluate coverage of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis specialty medications by commercial insurance companies.
Methods:
We compiled data regarding specialty drug coverage for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis using Tufts Medical Center Specialty Drug Evidence and Coverage (SPEC) database and analyzed the data for any notable trends. The SPEC database lists coverage decisions for 158 specialty drugs by 17 of the largest US commercial health plans, as well as data regarding the types of evidence cited by these insurance plans when making coverage decisions.
Results:
Our results showed that insurance plans tend to be more restrictive than the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) label when covering medications for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Furthermore, medications for psoriatic arthritis tended to be less restricted than for psoriasis, and medications were most commonly approved as second line agents for both indications.
Conclusion:
Our analysis confirms that variability in insurance coverage exists for the indications of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Related Concept Videos
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Secondary Healthcare System
Clinical Trials: Overview

