Data: Dusetzina et. al, 2019, "Specialty Drug Pricing and Out-of-Pocket Spending on Orally Administered Anticancer Drugs in Medicare Part D, 2010 to 2019"; Chart: Lazaro Gamio/Axios
Seniors pay more out of pocket for cancer drugs today than they did in 2010, according to a new JAMA study.
The big picture: The Affordable Care Act reduced seniors' share of their drug bills, but price increases — on new and old drugs alike — have canceled out those savings.
Between the lines: There are 13 cancer pills in Part D that were also covered in 2010. What seniors pay for the vast majority of them is expected to increase this year.
- For example, out-of-pocket spending on Revlimid increased, on average, by more than $4,000 between 2010 and 2018.
Yes, but: Many cancer drugs aren't covered by Medicare Part D. They are instead in Part B, because they're administered by a doctor rather than picked up at a pharmacy.
Go deeper: Cancer drugs are too expensive, WHO says
