The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released the initial data on the 2017 Medicare Part D plans. Our exclusive analysis reveals that preferred cost sharing pharmacy networks are back.
For 2017, 85% of Medicare Part D regional prescription drug plans (PDP) will have a preferred network. That’s comparable to the figures from the past three years.
Below, I provide historical data on preferred networks’ growth and then identify 2017’s top plans. The two largest companies—UnitedHealthcare and Humana—offer only preferred networks for 2017. Both companies are also offering co-branded plans with retail chains: United Healthcare with Walgreens, and Humana with Walmart.
Such narrow pharmacy networks—either preferred or limited models—are now an unstoppable and widely accepted element of benefit design. Pharmacies will continue to see their prescription profit margins terminated. In a future post, I’ll be back to examine which chains and independents are participating in the preferred networks.
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