Effect of prescription drug coverage on health of the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the effect of prescription drug insurance on health, as measured by self-reported poor health status, functional disability, and hospitalization among the elderly.


METHODS
Analyses are based on a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized elderly (≥65 years of age) from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) for years 1992-2000.


METHODS
Estimates are obtained using multivariable regression models that control for observed characteristics and unmeasured person-specific effects (i.e., fixed effects).


RESULTS
In general, prescription drug insurance was not associated with significant changes in self-reported health, functional disability, and hospitalization. The lone exception was for prescription drug coverage obtained through a Medicare HMO. In this case, prescription drug insurance decreased functional disability slightly. Among those elderly with chronic illness and older (71 years or more) elderly, prescription drug insurance was associated with slightly improved functional disability.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that prescription drug coverage had little effect on health or hospitalization for the general population of elderly, but may have some health benefits for chronically ill or older elderly.
Khan
Nasreen
N
College of Pharmacy, MSC09 53601 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
Kaestner
Robert
R
Lin
Swu-Jane
SJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D054524:Medicare Part D / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States