MEDICINE
3.2 million persons in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C virus infection .
new drugs for eligible patients ( not just those on Medicare ) would be offset by avoiding hospitalizations and other treatment costs . The vast majority of patients with hepatitis C don ’ t go on to get liver transplants .
Federal taxpayers cover the preponderance of the cost of treating patients in Part D , but enrollees also have to pick up a share , which can vary based on their drug usage . Once a Medicare enrollee spends $ 4,700 out of pocket on drugs – in this case , just a few days of a prescription – “ catastrophic ” coverage kicks in . At that point , Medicare picks up 80 percent of the cost , the health plan pays 15 percent , and the patient pays the remaining five percent .
Some costs probably will be passed
8 May 2015