UnitedHealthcare, OptumRx Expand Innovative Discount Program

To further enhance their point-of-sale discount program introduced last year, UnitedHealthcare and OptumRx are expanding their program for all new employee-sponsored plans, in an effort to make medications more affordable and improve outcomes.

Beginning January 2020, only new employers that offer point-of-sale discounts in their plans will be supported by UnitedHealthcare and OptumRx. The expansion builds upon the point-of-sale program that has proven cost-saving for consumers since it went into effect January 1, 2019.

“Patients are seeing concrete benefits from UnitedHealthcare’s groundbreaking point-of-sale discount program, which is just one element in our commitment to help deliver better health, lower costs and a better experience,” said Daniel J Schumacher, president and chief operating officer of UnitedHealthcare in a press release.

Under the existing program, people enrolled in fully insured commercial group benefit plans have discounts applied when filling prescriptions at both retail pharmacies and home delivery, Consumers are seeing an average savings of $130 per eligible prescription since the beginning of the year. UnitedHealthcare also stated that the program is increasing prescription drug adherence up to 16%, which will lead to improved patient outcomes.

“OptumRx is uniquely able to deploy the broadest range of tools to rein in high drug prices, and this expanded point-of-sale discount program demonstrates our commitment to delivering better prices for consumers," said John Prince, chief executive officer, OptumRx, in UnitedHealth Group’s press release.

While the latest expansion applies to new proposals, UnitedHealthcare stated, “Commitments made to support existing clients prior to this date will be grandfathered, including those currently in the sales cycle for January 1, 2020 effective dates.” It continued, “While such plan designs have been previously available to all employer customers, this expansion is expected to accelerate adoption of point-of-sale discounts across all types of commercial business, including self-funded.”

 “Together with employer partners and OptumRx, UnitedHealthcare has taken innovative action, bringing real value to consumers while mitigating the impact of persistent drug price inflation brought on by drug manufacturers affecting consumers’ ability to afford medications and comply with their physician’s treatment plans,” said Mr Schumacher.

—Edan Stanley