Issue Brief: Federal-Level Policy Solution to Reduce Costs for 340B Patients
340B Federal Policy Recommendation
This issue brief explores the effects of a potential sliding fee scale policy, adjusting patient cost-sharing to either eliminate or charge a nominal fee for drugs dispensed by 340B covered entities based on the patient’s insurance type and income. The results, reported at the federal level, reveal significant savings for low income privately insured and uninsured patients receiving care at 340B hospitals from a sliding fee scale policy modeled after the 340B ACCESS ACT
Key insights include:
- 340B program overview: Despite the growth of the program and intent to lower cost for patients, out-of-pocket drug costs for 340B patients are significantly higher than non-340B patients.
- Analysis results: The implementation of a sliding fee scale policy for 340B patients could decrease their out-of-pocket costs by more than 80%, depending on their insurance type and income.
- Policy considerations: In addition to a sliding fee scale policy, policymaker should consider other legislative efforts to ensure the 340B program is meeting its intended goal to reduce out-of-pocket costs for the nation’s most vulnerable patients.
Download the issue brief to learn more about the sliding fee scale policy analysis and potential effects on 340B patient out-of-pocket costs.
