"Tier 4" insurance co-pays could threaten psoriasis patients

The New York Times today reports on a troubling trend by some insurers that could threaten psoriasis patients who depend on biologic treatments for their psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: "Co-Payments Go Way Up for Drugs With High Prices" (link may require free registration):

Health insurance companies are rapidly adopting a new pricing system for very expensive drugs, asking patients to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars for prescriptions for medications that may save their lives or slow the progress of serious diseases.

With the new pricing system, insurers abandoned the traditional arrangement that has patients pay a fixed amount, like $10, $20 or $30 for a prescription, no matter what the drug's actual cost. Instead, they are charging patients a percentage of the cost of certain high-priced drugs, usually 20 to 33 percent, which can amount to thousands of dollars a month.

The system means that the burden of expensive health care can now affect insured people, too. ...

The system, often called Tier 4, began in earnest with Medicare drug plans and spread rapidly. ...

And private insurers ... can legally change their coverage to one in which some drugs are Tier 4 with no advance notice.

If you have been hit with "Tier 4" pricing, please let us know.