The effect of transitioning to medicare part d drug coverage in seniors dually eligible for medicare and medicaid.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate medication use, out-of-pocket spending, and medication switching during the transition period for patients dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles).

Design

Time-trend analysis, using segmented linear regression.

Setting

Patient-level pharmacy dispensing data from January 2005 to December 2006 from a large pharmacy chain with stores in 34 states.

Participants

Dual eligibles aged 65 and older.

Measurements

Changes in utilization, patient copayments, and medication switching were analyzed using interrupted time trend analyses. Utilization and spending were evaluated for five study drugs: clopidogrel, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), warfarin, and statins (essential drugs covered by Part D plans) and benzodiazepines (no

SUBMITTER: Shrank WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2607038 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature