Cost-sharing effects on adherence and persistence for second-generation antipsychotics in commercially insured patients.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between patient cost-sharing (e.g., copayments or coinsurance) and adherence and persistence to second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic (SGA) medications.


METHODS
A retrospective, observational study of adults aged 18-64 years with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (n = 7,910) who initiated SGA medications with employer-sponsored insurance in the 2003-2006 MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database. Adherence was defined as percent of days covered in each calendar quarter. Persistence was defined as days from initiation of SGA to the first 90-day gap in medication on-hand. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to determine the effects of cost-sharing on adherence to SGA medications based on patient-quarter data. A Cox proportional hazards model with patient cost-sharing as a time-varying covariate estimated the effects on persistence with SGA medication.


RESULTS
Higher cost-sharing was associated with a lower likelihood of adherence. When compared to plans with cost-sharing below $10, adherence rates were approximately 27% lower for patients in plans with SGA cost-sharing of $50 and above and about 10% lower for patients in plans with cost-sharing between $30 and $50. In both cases, the reduction in adherence was significant. Higher cost-sharing was also associated with a shorter time to discontinuation (HR: 1.028; 95% CI [1.006-1.051]).


CONCLUSIONS
High SGA cost-sharing appears to be a financial barrier to SGA medication compliance, especially when cost-sharing levels exceeded $30. Our findings have implications for health plans, employers, and policymakers who have, or are, contemplating establishing cost-sharing tiers for SCA medications for commercially insured patients with serious mental illnesses.
Gibson
Teresa B
TB
Thompson Reuters, Inc, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA. teresa.gibson@thomsonreuters.com
Jing
Yonghua
Y
Kim
Edward
E
Bagalman
Erin
E
Wang
Sara
S
Whitehead
Richard
R
Tran
Quynh-Van
QV
Doshi
Jalpa A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics*; D017047:Cost Sharing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents