HHS secretary orders Medicare to 'reassess' premium increase driven by Alzheimer's drug

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: The Hill

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra on Monday ordered Medicare to "reassess" a proposed premium increase after an expensive new Alzheimer's drug fell in price.

"Today I'm instructing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reassess the recommendation for the 2022 Medicare Part B premium, given the dramatic price change of the Alzheimer's drug, Aduhelm," Becerra said in a statement. "With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm on January 1, there is a compelling basis for CMS to reexamine the previous recommendation."

Medicare had announced in November a steep 14.5 percent increase for 2022 in the monthly premium that millions of seniors have to pay, from $148.50 to $170.10. Part of the reason for that increase was to cover the cost of Aduhelm, a pricey and controversial new Alzheimer's drug, made by Biogen.

But in late December, Biogen, facing uproar over the $56,000 per year initial Aduhelm price, cut its price to $28,200.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hhs-secretary-orders-medicare-to-reassess-premium-increase-driven-by-alzheimer-s-drug/ar-AASD2mF

[Vinca]

1. Good. If the drug were more effective it would be one thing, but by all accounts it isn't.

Alzheimer's is a horrible, horrible illness and I can't help but think drug companies are trying to fill their bank accounts at the expense of taxpayers more than fix a problem.

[ShazzieB]

8. $28,000 year is way too much for any drug.

Way, way, way too much.

Add to that the fact that this drug is by all reports ineffective, and what you have is a greedy pharma company shamelessly exploiting people's legitimate fears concerning dementia. It's immoral, unethical, inhumane, and just plain disgusting.

I'd bet anything they started at the higher number on purpose, so they could lower the price to something that looks better by comparison and still make an outrageous amount of money on it.

[DENVERPOPS]

11. If it's not that effective

why did the FDA approve it?

I haven't trusted the FDA to act in our best interests since early on in W's occupation of the White House.
That group quite literally trashed the FDA and made them make decisions totally based on the Pharmaceutical Company's studies.
A whole big bunch of which turned out to be invalid......

[ShazzieB]

15. Good question.

Unfortunately, I don't know the answer. My comment was based on this: https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016309892

[Hoyt]

2. Might save $5/month, $10 if Medicare decides not to cover it or significantly restricts coverage.

[HUAJIAO]

3. The price drop proves that BIOGEN is making $$$$ like poop after a colonoscopy prep !!

[ampm]

4. Nevada checking in

It isn't even a proven drug, and they're making us seniors pay upfront. We can barely keep up with medical and medicine. Give us the raise without all the dam charges

[Faux pas]

5. I

don't understand why the seniors have to pay a higher premium because of the price of something they aren't using! I'm lucky, my pension reimburses me my medicare cost. Others aren't that lucky.

[Grasswire2]

6. THANK YOU, Secretary!

It made no sense, to me.

[Bayard]

7. Oh, well only $28K a year

That just fixes everything!

[DallasNE]

9. Not Just That

But Covid-19 has dramatically cut demand for the drug just as it has cut demand for nursing homes. (Where is the sarcasm button?)

[Farmer-Rick]

10. In February I become eligible for Medicare

I have Tri Care for life and use the express scripts drug program....much cheaper. So, why should I get the increase too? I'll never use Medicare part D. I don't even sign up for it. Yet I still get to pay that extra 14.5 percent. Medicare doubles my medical expenses as compared to using just Tri Care. Thank Good I'm on no medication and have no medical problems.....yet.

[Hoyt]

14. This is not a Part D drug. It's an infusion treatment done in a doc's office under Part B.

Part D is for prescription drugs that you administer yourself.

But I get your point.

I’d bet the reduce the $20/month premium increase by $5 or so.

[Ferrets are Cool]

12. OMG, please let this be true

[haele]

13. Be curious to see what the VA had negotiated the price to.

Probably not as much as Medicare is pushing the price point to now

Not to mention all those "coupons" the drug manufacturers push to keep their drugs on insurance companies' formulary lists.

[Sherman A1]

16. Hopefully we will get some kind of break.