Benzodiazepine Use among Medicare, Commercially Insured, and Veteran Older Adults, 2013-2017.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely prescribed to older adults. Although prescribing has declined in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicare introduced BZD coverage in 2013. It is unknown whether declines in the VA have been widespread among older adults in the United States.

Design

Observational study in traditional fee-for-service Medicare, commercial insurance, and the VA.

Setting

United States, 2013-2017.

Participants

Adults aged 55 and older in traditional Medicare (234,290,693 person-months), commercial insurance (337,827,125 person-months), and the VA (256,590,369 person-months).

Measurements

(1) Change in BZD and BZD-opioid co-prescribing modeled by Poisson regression over time; and (2) standardized ratios of BZ

SUBMITTER: Maust DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7856043 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature