Medicare Plans Criticized for Drug Pricing System
Some Medicare drug plans are being criticized for using reference-based pricing in which beneficiaries who choose a brand-name drug when there is a generic version available are charged a much higher price. The industry argues that the tactic helps curb rising health care costs, but critics complain that the practice can result in hidden charges.
- "Medicare Plans Draw Criticism on Drug Pricing" (Zhang/Fuhrmans, Wall Street Journal, 12/16).