A health plan in Massachusetts has begun offering a program that waives co-pays for 11 common prescription medications that treat chronic conditions, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and depression. The program will be offered by Neighborhood Health Plan on a selection of commercial plan designs for large employer customers. Neighborhood Health Plan is a member of Partners HealthCare.
“Care Complement” also gives members access to prevention services, such as diabetic education and nutritional counseling, at no additional cost. Cost-sharing is waived for certain pain treatments offered in place of opioid prescriptions, as well as for cardiac rehabilitation services to speed recovery after a heart attack.
“Care Complement improves adherence and management of chronic disease, and offers affordable alternatives to opioids for the treatment of pain,” Dr. Anton B. Dodek, chief medical officer for Neighborhood Health Plan, was quoted as saying. “By eliminating cost sharing, this benefit design encourages members to work with their doctors and optimally manage their conditions, which results in healthier outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.”