Last year I had to switch from Symbicort to Advair discus because my monthly copay for Symbicort had risen to almost $400, and my plan didn’t cover the generic. Advair generic was more affordable, about $200 monthly, but still expensive and beyond my means, so I started to get it not through my health insurance but through a drug discount plan that gets its meds from out of the country and takes about a month to get to me, but costs $125 for a three month supply. It’s been tough, so hearing...

Any idea if Medicare will cover it now? Been using it for years and suddenly it’s not covered

Thanks to all who toil for this over the years. I am glad vulnerable people will be able to afford their medications. Long way to go, however, is a start.

First, I'm very sorry Medicare is no longer covering the meds you need. If you haven't already, check for any drug assistance programs that may be able to help lower the cost - Drug Assistance Program Yesterday AAFA met with the White House about inhaler costs. Starting in 2025, the cost of all prescription medicines for people on Medicare will not exceed $2,000 a year. AAFA will keep working with policymakers to take additional steps to lower costs, including through the Medicaid program.

Applause, Applause!!! - Better late than never. 😎

I see in this report that the $35 cap on our asthma medications will be for those with commercial/private insurance or no insurance. Does that mean that those of us with supplemental medication insurance who are on Medicare will still be paying co-pays of over $100 for our inhalers?

Correct, this price cap goes into effect for those with commercial or no insurance. Government insurance is a separate problem that AAFA is still working to address. The pricing system is very complicated and there is still a lot of work to do to ensure everyone has access to affordable asthma medications. Affordable access to healthcare is one of AAFA's key policy issues .

I am on Medicare. What is the most effective way I can help advocate for government covering the cost as commercial insurance does?

This is a great question, @BaLu . Contacting your state and local representatives is a great way to make your voice heard. AAFA also speaks with policymakers on behalf of those with asthma and allergies to advocate for access to affordable medications. Sharing community stories like yours helps us with these discussions. You can share your story by emailing us at stories@aafa.org . Sharing your story locally or via social media is another way to spread awareness of this issue and the...

If you want more lowered drug prices for persons on Medicare - Vote! The Inflation Reduction Act, passed by teh Biden Administration, finally allows the government to finally negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower prices. I fear if Biden does not win again in 2024, all that will be for nothing.

I have been following the news about the price drops for the Asthma controller inhalers. My only question is why hasn't GlaxoSmithKline the only pharmaceutical company that has not dropped the out of pocket costs for their Asthma controller inhalers? I see that the other pharmaceutical companies have already dropped the out of pocket costs to $35.00 as of June 1st, 2024. I am currently taking the Breo Elipta 100-25mcg daily Asthma controller inhaler. Does anyone know when GlaxoSmithKline is...

Hello @Lynn Marie Lott ! Correct, the price cap for GSK will go into effect no later than Jan. 1st, 2025. It is possible some, or all, of their inhalers mentioned will see the price cap before then. These types of changes can take time to organize and fully implement. You can stay up-to-date with any developments by checking AAFA's blog and/or subscribing to AAFA's newsletter - aafa.org/subscribe.

We updated this blog post on Sept. 13, 2024, to include links to other ways to save on asthma medicines.