Cost-effectiveness of Medicare drug plans in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Source: American Journal of Managed Care Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Background: US Medicare Part D has a drug coverage gap, which imposes risks for discontinuing medications, particularly in mental health disorders where drug costs are high.  However, some beneficiaries have generic drug coverage in the gap. Objectives: To examine the health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of generic-drug coverage compared with no gap coverage in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Study Design: Markov model-based cost-effectiveness analysis using identical hypothetical cohorts to examine drug coverage strategies. Methods: The incremental cost-effectiveness of Part D coverage strategies was estimated, using differences in medical costs and quality-adjusted life years between plans.  Coverage strategy-specific costs and hospitalisation rates were obtained from 2007 Medicare data, adjusted for age, sex, race and health status. Results: When comparing generic-only coverage with no gap coverage, generic-only coverage cost less and was ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news