UnitedHealthcare Launches New Program, Encourages Switch to Lower-Cost HIV Drugs

UnitedHealthcare has launched a program that pays patients up to $500 in prepaid debit cards to switch to lower cost HIV medications with the consent of their physician. The insurer plans to expand the program to include other high-cost specialty drug categories in the future.

“We are educating people on lower-cost medications that may be right for them, encouraging them to talk to their doctor, and ultimately helping them engage in decisions about their healthcare,” said Richard Migliori, MD, chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group, in a company press release.

My ScriptRewards offers a $250 prepaid debit card patients can use toward medical expenses 1 month after switching to a lower-cost eligible HIV antiviral. After 6 months of using the medication, patients receive a second $250 prepaid debit card.

Through My ScriptRewards, patients can receive the following guideline-recommend HIV medications at $0 out-of-pocket:

• Cimduo (lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) + Tivicay (dolutegravir); and

• Cimduo + Isentress (raltegravir)/Isentress HD (raltegravir).

Triumeq (abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine) and other guideline-recommended treatments for HIV will remain available with a cost share, according to the insurer. —Jolynn Tumolo