After publishing two posts dealing with cost-sharing (More On Cost-sharing And Medication Compliance and Healthcare Cost-sharing And Medication Compliance) earlier this week, I realized I had other articles on this topic stashed for potential use in future blog entries.
Because I can’t predict when – or if – those articles will make it online on this site and because of the importance of the effects of healthcare cost-sharing on patient compliance as well as the current interest in the topic, today’s post references some of this material for the interested reader.
The Integrated Benefits Institute Report
The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) has issued the a report, A Broader Reach for Pharmacy Plan Design, that, according to the press release, “finds pharmaceutical cost shifting leads to increased disability and lost productivity.” Funded by IBI, the full report is available to IBI members,1 but others can access the Executive Summary.
The American Journal of Managed Care Special Issue
In June, the American Journal of Managed Care published a special issue devoted to medication cost-sharing that included, among others, these titles:
- “Fiscally Responsible, Clinically Sensitive” Cost Sharing: Contain Costs While Preserving Quality
- Effect of Copayments on Drug Use in the Presence of Annual Payment Limits
- Effect of a Medication Copayment Increase in Veterans With Schizophrenia
- Relationship Between Generic and Preferred-brand Prescription Copayment Differentials and Generic Fill Rate
- Consumer Response to Dual Incentives Under Multitiered Prescription Drug Formularies
The complete articles are available in PDF format online at The American Journal of Managed Care (June 2007 Issue, Part 2): Prescription Drug Cost Sharing
Commentary
Both the Integrated Benefits Institute and the American Journal of Managed Care have a specific point of view that may influence their take on this topic. Of late, however, I have found it difficult to find research that it free of potential influence. These days, I am grateful when the researcher’s point of view and potential biases are at least clearly presented.
Footnotes
- The full report is also offered to media; consequently, I have requested a copy. If that request is granted, I’ll review the report on this blog.↩
