Established annual fee on manufacturers and importers of branded prescription drugs.
The report notes this tax was established in 2011, which explains recent increases in the cost of medication.
A new analysis from HealthPocket of early health insurance rate filings finds that consumers who choose the lower cost Bronze Plans and Silver Plans under the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") will likely be paying more for prescription drugs than they do now. Compared to comparable existing individual and family plan copays and coinsurance costs, consumers with prescription drug coverage can expect to pay an average of 34 percent more out of pocket for these medications if trends continue.
"About 70 percent of Americans use prescription drugs, and they are going to need to pay very, very close attention to what plans offer to minimize out-of-pocket increases for medications," said Kev Coleman, head of Research & Data at HealthPocket and author of the study. "When it comes to drug costs and changes in our newly reformed health care system, the fine print really matters."
Join the conversation as a VIP Member