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Prescription Drug Benefits

Journal Article
Do Strict Formularies Replicate Failure for Patients with Schizophrenia?
We measure the impact of Medicaid formulary restrictions (FRs) on the rate at which patients who previously failed a drug therapy for schizophrenia are returned to that therapy.
Mar 1, 2014
Report
Small Ideas for Saving Big Health Care Dollars
A series of proposals that would substitute lower-cost treatments for higher cost interventions and that promote greater patient safety could save the U.S. health care system $13 to $22 billion per year.
Jan 30, 2014
Blog
Small Ideas for Saving Big Health Care Dollars (No. 4-7)
Focusing on smaller, more focused approaches can identify less controversial opportunities for modest health care savings.
Jan 15, 2014
Commentary
An Inexpensive Prescription for Medicare
If Congress wants to save Medicare, it can start by driving waste and excess out of the system. This can be done without impoverishing patients or driving doctors out of business, if physicians are willing to practice smarter, more efficient medicine. Spending on prescription drugs is a case in point.
Nov 18, 2013
Journal Article
Brand-name Prescription Drug Use Among Veterans Affairs and Medicare Part D Patients with Diabetes: A National Cohort Comparison
Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes use 2 to 3 times more brand-name drugs than a comparable group within the VA, at substantial excess cost.
Jul 1, 2013
Brochure
Assessing Patients' Experiences with Care
Understanding how patients experience care can encourage delivery of high-quality services. It also helps payers, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, ensure that they pay for effective and efficient care.
Jun 26, 2013
Brochure
Improving Medicare Payment Policies
RAND's work on Medicare payment policies has played a major role in improving payment systems, helping to better align incentives for providers and promote delivery of high-value care for patients.
Jun 26, 2013
Brochure
Measuring the Quality of Health Care
RAND is engaged in developing and supporting the use of quality measures by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Jun 26, 2013
Journal Article
The Role of Specialty Drugs in Private Sector Healthcare Spending
Specialty drugs account for a modest share of total healthcare spending, even among the highest cost patients. Even dramatic reductions in spending on specialty drugs would have only a modest effect on total healthcare costs.
Jan 1, 2013
Journal Article
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Medicare Part D Experiences
Racial/ethnic minorities report more difficulties in getting drugs and needed information through Medicare's Part D program. However, quality improvement efforts may reduce these disparities in beneficiary experience with prescription drug coverage.
Oct 29, 2012
Journal Article
Access to and Use of $4 Generic Drug Programs
Programs that offer 30 days' worth of selected generic drugs for $4 have become important options for seniors to obtain affordable medications, but little is known about access to these programs and the characteristics of those who use them.
Oct 1, 2012
Blog
When Patients Don't Take Their Medicine: What Role Do Doctors Play in Promoting Prescription Adherence?
Medication non-adherence affects up to 40 percent of older adults, especially those with chronic conditions, and is associated with poor outcomes, more hospitalizations, and higher mortality. A new paradigm that clarifies joint provider–patient responsibility is needed.
Aug 29, 2012
Dissertation
Planning for an Aging Nation: New Estimates to Inform Policy Analysis for Senior Health
Provides insights into the costs and challenges of providing health care to the elderly population.
Apr 12, 2012
Journal Article
Survey Results Show That Adults Are Willing to Pay Higher Insurance Premiums for Generous Coverage of Specialty Drugs
This study estimated how healthy people value insurance coverage of specialty drugs, defined as high-cost drugs that treat cancer and other serious health conditions like multiple sclerosis, by quantifying willingness to pay via a survey.
Apr 1, 2012
News Release
Financial Burden of Prescription Drugs Is Dropping, but Costs Remain a Challenge for Many Families
The financial burden Americans face paying out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs has declined, although prescription costs remain a significant challenge for people with lower incomes and those with public insurance.
Feb 8, 2012
Journal Article
Financial Burden of Prescription Drugs Is Dropping, but Costs Remain a Challenge for Many Families
The financial burden Americans face paying out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs has declined, although prescription costs remain a significant challenge for people with lower incomes and those with public insurance.
Feb 1, 2012
Journal Article
Sources of Regional Variation in Medicare Part D Drug Spending
Regional variation in Medicare Part D spending for prescription drugs results largely from differences in the cost of drugs selected rather than prescription volume.
Feb 1, 2012
Journal Article
Atypical Antipsychotics May Aid Symptoms for Some Off-Label Conditions, but Not Others
Evidence supports the effectiveness of some atypical antipsychotics in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and behavioral symptoms in elderly patients with dementia. There is insufficient evidence that the medications are effective for treating eating disorders, substance abuse and insomnia.
Sep 1, 2011
Report
How Should Drugs Be Identified in Electronic Prescribing Systems?
The set of computer-interpretable identifiers currently used in electronic prescribing does not support the specific needs of prescribers and pharmacists. RxNorm, a rigorously derived system of drug identifiers that more accurately reflect the prescriber's intent, has potential to improve e-prescribing transactions.
Jul 20, 2011
Research Brief
How Should Drugs be Identified in Electronic Prescribing Systems?
RxNorm has potential to improve how medications are represented in e-prescribing transactions.
Jul 20, 2011

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