UnitedHealthcare to offer rebates to participants

To help lower out-of-pocket costs for some patients, UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) said its UnitedHealthcare unit will begin passing rebates from drug manufacturers directly to customers when they fill prescriptions, beginning on Jan. 1, 2019. The new program will apply to more than 7 million participants enrolled in UnitedHealthcare fully insured commercial group benefit plans.

The insurer said it currently uses rebates to keep premiums lower for all UnitedHealthcare members. Under the new program, customers will receive rebates at the time of sale when they fill prescriptions through retail pharmacies or home delivery...