End Step Therapy

Hey everyone,

I wanted to bring attention to a serious issue in the healthcare industry – step therapy. As a patient myself, I can attest to the frustration and pain that comes with having to try multiple medications before getting to what our doctor knows will work best for us in the first place.

My experience with step therapy has been nothing short of disappointing. I have paid for insurance that rarely covers any of my prescriptions affordably, leaving me to wonder if it’s even worth it. The pain meds that worked for me are no longer prescribed, and I feel like my pain is not being taken seriously. I don’t take medication often but when I need it, it would be nice to have access to it. I have and continue to try PT , Medications that I have wanted money on that either did nothing for the pain, or made me nauseous and frustrated. I have even tried Compound Pharmacies that are not covered at all by insurance that make specialty creams and ointments that are applied and although they work some, it’s near unaffordable.

This needs to change. Patients should not have to suffer because of insurance company policies. We deserve better, and our voices need to be heard.

For those who don’t understand what it is here is more information:

Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” is a process used by health insurers to control costs. It requires patients to try one or more medications specified by the insurance company, typically a generic or lower cost medicine, to treat a health condition. Step therapy is when your insurance company requires certain steps before they’ll pay for your medication. Usually, this means you’ll have to try taking a preferred medication or several before they’ll pay for a non-preferred one. Ultimately it’s the patient who suffers. And it undermines our doctor’s knowledge.

I am calling on our congressmen and senators to take action and end step therapy once and for all. Let’s make sure that all insurance and prescription plans cover at least 50 percent of the cost or offer an affordable co-pay. And if a prior authorization is required, let’s make it a turn around time of 7 days instead of 30.

Please join me in using the hashtag #endsteptherapy and #healthcareforall to raise awareness and push for change. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that patients like us getthe care we need and deserve.

Here is a Link so you can write or call your representatives- https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative