A bill introduced in the Michigan House would require copay assistance to count toward a patient's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
Bill supporters say health insurers can currently stop medication assistance — like manufacturer coupons — from factoring into yearly deductibles.
Sarah Procario leads the Michigan All Copays Count Coalition.
She says that can be costly to people with chronic diseases, like cancer, who need expensive medications.
"Every year, they are reaching their out-of-pocket maximum. So that sometimes might be as low as $3,000 if they are lucky, it can be as high as $15,000 right? It does vary but it is thousands and thousands of dollars."
The Michigan Association of Health Plans says the bill would lead to higher insurance costs.
