Do drug benefits help Medicare beneficiaries afford prescribed drugs?
We surveyed a random sample of 1,500 elderly people with chronic diseases who were enrolled in eight Medicare+Choice plans with a zero-premium, dollars 200-dollars 300 annual drug benefit and no deductible. An estimated 32 percent did not fill a prescription or reduced a prescribed dosage because of out-of-pocket costs. Lower drug benefits, higher out-of-pocket costs, lower income, and poorer health were associated with underuse of medications. Drug benefits with high out-of-pocket costs might not be effective for beneficiaries who use medications for chronic diseases, especially those with low incomes.
Rector
Thomas S
TS
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Thomas.Rector@med.va.gov
Venus
Patricia J
PJ
D000368:Aged; D003363:Cost Control; D016527:Drug Costs; D005249:Fees and Charges; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D020398:Medicare Part C / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States