Specialty drug markups increase insurance premiums by $13.1B: AHIP

Provider markups on specialty drugs have increased 2024 commercial health insurance premiums by $13.1 billion, according to research commissioned by trade group America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Healthpayer Intelligence reports. The study found that the average cost of the top 10 specialty drugs was significantly higher when supplied by a hospital facility or a professional office, compared to a specialty pharmacy. The average markup was 42%, leading to an average premium increase of $48 to $175 per year for plan members.