Did Medicare Part D reduce disparities?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We assessed whether Medicare Part D reduced disparities in access to medication.

Study design

Secondary data analysis of a 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries, using Parts A and B medical claims from 2002 to 2008 and Part D drug claims from 2006 to 2008.

Methods

We analyzed the medication use of Hispanic, black, and white beneficiaries with diabetes before and after reaching the Part D coverage gap, and compared their use with that of race-specific reference groups not exposed to the loss in coverage. Unadjusted difference-in-difference results were validated with multivariate regression models adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and zip code-level household income used as a proxy for socioeconomic status.

Results

The rate at which Hispanics r

SUBMITTER: Zissimopoulos J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4405127 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature