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Khazanchi R, Powers S, Killelea A, Strumpf A, Horn T, Hamp A, McManus KA. Access to a novel first-line single-tablet HIV antiretroviral regimen in Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans, 2018-2020. J Pharm Policy Pract 2023; 16:57. [PMID: 37081570 PMCID: PMC10116786 DOI: 10.1186/s40545-023-00559-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A pillar of the United States' Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative is to rapidly provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) in order to achieve HIV viral suppression. However, insurance benefit design can impede ART access. The primary objective of this study is to understand how Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace qualified health plan (QHP) formularies responded to two new ART single tablet regimens (STRs): dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine (DTG/ABC/3TC; approved in 2014) and bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF; approved in 2018). METHODS We conducted a descriptive study of individual and small group QHPs to assess coverage, cost sharing (coinsurance vs. copay), specialty tiering, prior authorization, and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for DTG/ABC/3TC and BIC/FTC/TAF. All individual and small group QHPs offered in state ACA Marketplaces from 2018-2020 were identified using plan-level formulary data from Ideon linked to end-of-year data from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Individual Market Health Insurance Exchange (HIX). RESULTS For 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively, we identified 19,533, 17,007, and 21,547 QHPs. While DTG/ABC/3TC coverage was above 91% from 2018-2020, BIC/FTC/TAF coverage improved from 60 to 86%. Coverage of BIC/FTC/TAF improved in EHE priority jurisdictions from 73 to 90% driven by increased coverage with coinsurance. Although BIC/FTC/TAF had a higher wholesale acquisition cost than DTG/ABC/3TC, monthly OOP cost trends differed regionally in the Midwest but did not differ by EHE priority jurisdiction status. CONCLUSIONS QHP coverage of STRs is heterogeneous across the US. While coverage of BIC/FTC/TAF increased over time, many QHPs in EHE priority jurisdictions required coinsurance. Access to new ART regimens may be slowed by delayed QHP coverage and benefit design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Khazanchi
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Harvard Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel Powers
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801379, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Amy Killelea
- Health Systems and Policy, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Washington, DC, USA
- Killelea Consulting, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Andrew Strumpf
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801379, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Tim Horn
- Health Systems and Policy, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Auntré Hamp
- Health Systems and Policy, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kathleen A McManus
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801379, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Rock A, Comins C, Mulumba N, Young K, Mcingana M, Guddera V, Hausler H, Phetlhu R, Baral S, Schwartz S. Antiretroviral Treatment Sharing among Female sex Workers Living with HIV in eThekwini (Durban), South Africa: Drivers and Implications for Treatment Success. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2022; 21:23259582221110820. [PMID: 35786210 PMCID: PMC9263844 DOI: 10.1177/23259582221110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In South Africa, 62% of female sex workers (FSW) are estimated to be living with HIV. Qualitative research indicates that FSW share antiretroviral therapy (ART) with peers to surmount treatment barriers. We quantitatively described ART sharing, its correlates, and its relationship with viral suppression (VS) among FSW living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa. Among FSW on ART (n = 890), 30% ever shared (gave and/or received) ART. Sharing ART was more likely among those with higher levels of alcohol use, illicit drug use, depression severity, and physical/sexual violence in the adjusted model. There was a positive, dose-response relationship between number of pills given to peers in the last 30 days and VS likelihood (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08; p < 0.01). Giving pills may strengthen peer relationships, which may facilitate ART adherence. ART distribution through peer networks holds promise as a context-appropriate intervention for improving ART adherence among FSW in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Rock
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carly Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ntambue Mulumba
- Key Populations Programme, TB HIV Care, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Rene Phetlhu
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Nursing, 108325University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Hung A, Sauvageau G. Formulary tiers, medication cost sharing, and transparency in bronze and silver qualified health plans in 2014 vs 2018. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2021; 27:1332-1340. [PMID: 34595951 PMCID: PMC10391188 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.27.10.1332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2014, qualified health plans sold in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces were accused of providing drug coverage that was too restrictive and costly. After the change in administration in 2016, efforts to repeal portions of the ACA led to increases in premiums, decreases in enrollment, and overall uncertainty. OBJECTIVE: To examine how the number of formulary tiers and medication cost sharing, as well as transparency around these aspects, in qualified bronze and silver health plans in California, Florida, and Illinois changed from 2014 to 2018. METHODS: A search of all bronze and silver qualified health plans in California, Florida, and Illinois was performed in 2014 and in 2018 through the marketplace and issuer websites. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2018, the total number of bronze and silver qualified health plans offered in California, Florida, and Illinois remained relatively stable (36 to 35, 123 to 122, and 60 to 74, respectively). Over the same time period, the median number of formulary tiers remained constant for California and Florida (four and five) and increased from five to seven for Illinois. Of note, most Illinois plans shifted from a formulary with five or fewer tiers (92% of plans) to seven tiers (73% of plans) between 2014 and 2018. There was also an increase in the use of coinsurance instead of copay for each of the four following formulary tiers: generic (19% to 27% of plans), preferred brand (21% to 38%), nonpreferred brand (33% to 52%), and specialty (76% to 91%). Additionally, there was an increase in the median coinsurance rates for each of the aforementioned tiers: 0% to 25%, 0% to 35%, 30% to 40%, and 30% to 40%, respectively. The proportion of plans that provided their formularies on the marketplace website increased from 82% to 97% from 2014 to 2018, with the increase mostly driven by California plans (0% to 80%). There was a small increase in the proportion of plans that reported medication cost sharing through the medical benefit from 2014 (19%) to 2018 (25%). CONCLUSIONS: Between 2014 and 2018, qualified health plans increased their use of formularies with greater numbers of tiers, the use of coinsurance for each tier, and higher coinsurance rates. Availability of formularies on marketplace websites increased, but cost sharing transparency for medications covered by the medical benefit could greatly improve. DISCLOSURES: No funding supported this study. Hung reports past employment by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, CVS Health, and a grant from PhRMA outside of the submitted work. She was an intern at the Biotechnology Industry Organization when this work began. Sauvageau has no disclosures. This work was presented as a poster at the AMCP 2018 Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting; April 23-26, 2018; Boston, MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hung
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC
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Early Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2020; 30:259-269. [PMID: 31021962 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the most influential policy-related change to the care of people living with HIV in decades. We systematically searched and analyzed peer-reviewed, empirical research reporting on ACA-related aspects of HIV care post-ACA full implementation, finding 12 articles that met search criteria. The results revealed largely positive evidence regarding the ACA impact on people living with HIV, particularly on their health care coverage in Medicaid expansion states. More recent reporting included improvement in virologic suppression. However, early evidence has been somewhat fragmented, and important questions concerning the impact of the ACA on HIV care quality, patients, and providers remain unanswered. As the political struggle over the ACA continues, future analyses should use national- and state-level data to examine ACA impact on HIV care quality and patient-centered health outcomes to provide in-depth, holistic understanding of HIV care in the wake of this policy change.
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McCann NC, Horn TH, Hyle EP, Walensky RP. HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Costs in the United States, 2012-2018. JAMA Intern Med 2020; 180:601-603. [PMID: 32011622 PMCID: PMC7042880 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.7108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study characterizes the costs of recommended initial HIV antiretroviral therapy regimens in the United States from 2012 to 2018 and the magnitude of cost changes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole C McCann
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Tim H Horn
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Washington, DC
| | - Emily P Hyle
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.,Harvard University Center for AIDS Research, Boston, Massachusetts.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rochelle P Walensky
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.,Harvard University Center for AIDS Research, Boston, Massachusetts.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Rachlis B, Light L, Gardner S, Burchell AN, Raboud J, Kendall C, McIsaac MA, Murray J, Rachlis A, Rourke SB. The impact of drug coverage on viral suppression among people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2018; 109:800-809. [PMID: 30140981 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-018-0104-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of drug coverage on viral suppression (sVL) in Ontario, Canada, where there is no universal coverage of prescription drugs, including antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS Ontarians without employment coverage may be eligible for varying degrees of coverage through government-sponsored programs. Remaining individuals pay all expenses entirely out of pocket. Among participants on ART enrolled in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study (OCS) who were interviewed in 2008-2013 with known or imputable drug coverage, we estimated the prevalence with sVL (< 200 copies/mL) as of their last viral load each year. We calculated prevalence ratios (PR) according to time-updated socio-economic and behavioural factors using multivariable generalized estimating equations with a log-link function. Multiple imputation was used to assess the sensitivity of these findings to different assumed missing data models. RESULTS One thousand two hundred forty-seven participants were included (3463 person-years). Compared to study participants with employer coverage, individuals covered through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) were less likely to be suppressed (PR, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96, 0.93-0.98). After multivariable adjustment, ODB remained independently associated with less success in achieving sVL (adjusted PR, 95% CI 0.98, 0.95-0.99). These findings were robust to different assumptions about the missing data. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that drug coverage can affect viral suppression in our setting. Further research is needed to identify the mechanisms by which coverage interacts with individual patient factors to affect viral suppression. Mechanisms to improve access and coverage for ART are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Rachlis
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, 1300 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1X3, Canada. .,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Lucia Light
- The Ontario HIV Treatment Network, Toronto, 1300 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1X3, Canada
| | - Sandra Gardner
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ann N Burchell
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet Raboud
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire Kendall
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael A McIsaac
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Murray
- AIDS Bureau, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anita Rachlis
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sean B Rourke
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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