The majority of Medicare drug plans' formularies array drugs across four or more formulary tiers, exposing beneficiaries to increased levels of cost-sharing for certain drugs. A new audioconference will explore the types of products commonly or exclusively found on the fourth and fifth tiers of drug plans. Experts from CMS, plans, and patient advocacy organizations will discuss:

• the premiere and prevalence of four- and five-tiered plans
• the plans' perspective on why multi-tiered formularies are important for utilization management and patient care
• government efforts to track beneficiary experiences and
• the potential effect of increased cost-sharing on beneficiary behavior, drug utilization, and access.

Avalere Health analysts will present a new marketplace review of specialty products and higher cost drugs' formulary placement relative to other medications.