Adam Friedman, MD, who serves as medical director for the Derma Care Access Network, described how step therapy can erode the relationship a physician has with his or her patient. Step therapy “diverts attention” from the real purpose of a patient visit, Dr. Friedman argued, explaining that physicians spend the visit explaining insurance coverage rather than exploring the patients’ experience and progress.
Sometimes patients are told it’s their physician’s fault, Dr. Friedman explained. “They’re told that I chose a medication that’s too expensive for them,” he noted. The loss of trust can hurt the physician-patient relationships…which is “age-old, sacred,” Dr. Friedman explained.
Watch Dr. Friedman share his story on Capitol Hill.