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Discuss medication costs, insurance coverage with glaucoma patients to reduce cost adherence issues
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SAN FRANCISCO — Physicians should assist glaucoma patients in every way possible to reduce the cost of medications and thus increase eye drop compliance, according to a glaucoma expert.
 Herbert P. Fechter |
"Cost is a leading cause of non-adherence," Herbert P. Fechter, MD, said at Glaucoma Day at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here. "You need to determine the insurance plan coverage for the patients ... and prescribe low-cost generics when it's appropriate."
Physicians should assist glaucoma patients by understanding and knowing the limitations of Medicare and the most common private insurance companies that their practices encounter, Dr. Fechter said.
He said it is important to ask patients what they pay for their medications. If the cost is too high, he said physicians should re-evaluate the medications prescribed.
In addition, physicians should be aware of medical assistance provided by programs such as EyeCare America's glaucoma program, Vision USA and the four drug companies' indigent medication programs and share that information with patients, Dr. Fechter said.
In the same way that we ask if patients are having side effects to their medications, we should actively inquire about the patient’s ability to afford their prescribed medications. Generic medications, in the appropriate setting, can allow patients to afford medical treatment.
– Douglas J. Rhee, MD
OSN Glaucoma Board Member