Journal article
Access to and use of $4 generic programs in medicare
Y Zhang, WF Gellad, L Zhou, YJ Lin, JR Lave
Journal of General Internal Medicine | SPRINGER | Published : 2012
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although four-dollar programs ($4 per 30-day supply for selected generic drugs) have become important options for seniors to obtain affordable medications, little is known about access to these programs and the characteristics of those who use them. OBJECTIVES: We quantify access to $4 programs based on driving distance; evaluate factors affecting the program use and potential cost-savings associated with switching to $4 programs in Medicare. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: US Medicare Part D data, 5% random sample, 2007 PARTICIPANTS: 347,653 elderly beneficiaries without Medicaid coverage or low-income subsidies. MAIN MEASURES: We evaluated how use of $4 pr..
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Awarded by National Institutes of Health
Funding Acknowledgements
The RAND University of Pittsburgh Health Institute and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute: Translating Research into Practice Program. This project was supported in part by the RAND-University of Pittsburgh Health Institute (RUPHI), a formal collaboration between the RAND Corporation, RAND Health, and the University of Pittsburgh School of the Health Sciences. This publication was made possible by grant UL1 RR024153 from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. During the study period, Dr. Zhang was also supported by NIMH RC1 MH088510 and AHRQ R01 HS018657.Dr. Gellad has received an honorarium from Vindico Medical Education for preparation of a continuing medical education (CME) activity focused on improving medication adherence. Drs. Zhang and Lave were investigators for a contact (2008-2009) to evaluate the effects of high-deductible health plans funded by Highmark Inc., which sells Part D plans.