Conclusion:
The relationship of prescription to non-prescription spending is complex and heterogeneous, however, this report suggests greater prescription efficiency is achievable. This report provides insights into broader patterns of prescription drug care for patients, clinicians, and policy-makers.
About the Study:
Claims records for a 40 percent Medicare random-sample denominator file for each year from 2006 to 2010 were used. There were four cohorts—a 2010 Part D enrollment cohort, a diabetes cohort, an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cohort, and a fragility fracture cohort.