Private insurers want in on national bulk-buying deal for drugs

As talks about the future of Canada’s health-care agreements kicked off in Vancouver yesterday, federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announced that Ottawa is joining the provincial drug bulk-buying program. But plan sponsors should be prepared for the long-term impact of excluding private insurers from such a plan.

“It continues to entrench two levels of pricing for the Canadian market, one for the provinces and the second, higher price, for anyone paying through a private insurance plan,” says Stephen Frank, vice president, policy development and health, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association.

Continue reading...