As political pressure mounts over drug prices, Aetna (AET) has disclosed plans to pass along some rebates that the big insurer receives from drug makers, a move that comes less than a month after UnitedHealthcare (UNH) committed to taking the same step. Starting next year, Aetna will redirect a majority of rebates for around 3 million people.
“We have always believed that consumers should benefit from discounts and rebates that we negotiate with drug manufacturers,” Aetna chief executive Mark Bertolini said in a statement. “Going forward, we hope this additional transparency will encourage these companies to rationalize their pricing and end the practice of annual double-digit price increases.” Unlike UnitedHealthcare, Aetna already offers self-insured employers the option to pass on rebates at the point of sale and will continue to do so, a spokesman explained.
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