Trifecta of RTBT bills introduced in the House following major CAHC advocacy campaign
WASHINGTON, DC (June 24, 2019): The Council for Affordable Health Coverage (CAHC) – a coalition of employers, insurers, life science companies, PBMs, brokers, agents, patient groups, and physician organizations – responded today to a series of newly-introduced bills expanding use of real-time benefit tools (RTBTs).
“Price transparency at the point of prescribing has been missing from the healthcare equation for too long. That is why CAHC took the lead this year in pressing lawmakers to enact legislation leveraging the disruptive force of real-time benefit tools (RTBTs) to address this disparity,” said CAHC President Joel White. “We commend lawmakers for answering our calls for reform through the recent introduction of RTBT bills and are committed to partnering with the sponsoring offices to recommend improvements. CAHC members know that a robust RTBT law can be a catalyst for better-informed consumers, a more competitive prescription drug marketplace, improved medication adherence, and ultimately lower healthcare costs.”
RTBTs are technology innovations that deliver prescription benefit details, such as patient out-of-pocket costs, drug alternatives, and prior authorization information at the point of care. This empowers patients to discuss lower cost options with their provider when appropriate, avoid unpleasant surprises at the pharmacy counter, and remain adherent to their prescribed treatment.
A longtime champion of RTBTs to empower patients and improve drug cost transparency, CAHC pushed for reforms to expand this technology in Medicare Part D plans through its “Prescriptions for Savings” whitepaper released earlier this year and at a Congressional briefing. The coalition’s advocacy efforts led to the inclusion of RTBT provisions in a final Medicare Part D rule released last month.
Following CAHC’s lead, Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced separate RTBT legislation last Friday. Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) introduced a broader Medicare package with RTBT provisions included that is slated for a committee vote this Wednesday