State urges health insurers to continue access to ADHD meds
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan’s insurance regulator has issued a bulletin encouraging health insurers to continue to assure patients have access to medications to treat ADHD.
The move comes amidst a national shortage of the drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The Department of Insurance and Financial Services is the state agency that regulates insurance in Michigan.
The agency released a bulletin encouraging health plans to be flexible in meeting prescription needs. That may include allowing the substitution of name-brand drugs for generics and keeping the same cost-sharing requirements of the plan.
People who experience trouble accessing prescriptions should first attempt to work with the insurer. If problems or concerns persist, they can call the department at 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Complaints can also be filed online here.
“Michigan families are grappling with a widespread and ongoing shortage of medications that treat ADHD, and today we are urging health insurers to take steps to assist these families,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox in a news release. “Some insurers have reduced copays or adjusted coverage tiers, and today’s bulletin urges all Michigan health insurers to exercise flexibility to help Michigan families impacted by this shortage, for example by covering alternative medications or lowering out-of-pocket costs for name brand drugs when generic options are unavailable. Additionally, insurers should take steps to ensure that pharmacies and consumers are aware of these options. Michigan families impacted by the shortage should contact their health insurer for assistance in accessing these needed medications.”
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