Examining whether medication usage improved under a program of value-based insurance design

The Foundation's Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization program was designed to support research, demonstration, and evaluation projects examining major changes in health care financing.The purpose of this project is to explore the business case for value-based insurance design (VBID) and to inform benefit design changes and cost-containment strategies being considered by insurers and Medicare. The researchers will examine "Medication Dedication," a BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) program that eliminated copayments for generic medications and reduced copayments for brand-name medications to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. The researchers will determine whether VBID improved medication utilization behavior among BCBSNC enrollees with hypertension during the first two years of the program and address the following research questions: (1) did the initiation of Medication Dedication impact medication initiation, switching and adherence among program participants with hypertension; and (2) did Medication Dedication impact inpatient, outpatient or emergency room health services utilization and expenditures among program participants with hypertension. Deliverables will include a project work plan, a final narrative and financial report, and a final policy summary. The grantee will also produce paper(s) suitable for publication as part of the deliverables for this grant.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $100,000.00

Awarded on: 3/9/2010

Time frame: 4/1/2010 - 9/30/2011

Grant Number: 67461