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Patients have been paying copayments since the introduction of third-party health insurance during World War II. But the emergence of high-deductible health plans that have shifted greater medical financial risks to patients have led to healthcare consumers taking on the role of 'payer.'

Traditionally, healthcare payers have been employers, unions, and public sponsors of health insurance. But as prescription drug copayments increased from $5 to $10 to $20 and higher for specialty medicines, patients have inherited the role of payer. This playbook explains the implications of this growing financial management role for patients. After reading it, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how:

• The role of payer is adding to consumers’ burden for self-care and their job as household CFO
• Inflation is driving a patient affordability crisis
• Mental health challenges are driving a “syndemic”— a synergistic epidemic of co-morbid conditions