Prescription drug insurance coverage and patient health outcomes: A systematic review

A.S. Kesselheim, K.F. Huybrechts, N.K. Choudhry, L.A. Fulchino, D.L. Isaman, M.K. Kowal and T.A. Brennan

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 2, e17-e30

Abstract: Previous reviews have shown that changes in prescription drug insurance benefits can affect medication use and adherence. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify studies addressing the association between prescription drug coverage and health outcomes. Studies were included if they collected empirical data on expansions or restrictions of prescription drug coverage and if they reported clinical outcomes. We found 23 studies demonstrating that broader prescription drug insurance reduces use of other health care services and has a positive impact on patient outcomes. Coverage gaps or caps on drug insurance generally led to worse outcomes. States should consider implementing the Affordable Care Act expansions in drug coverage to improve the health of low-income patients receiving state-based health insurance.

Keywords: prescription drug, economics; health care policy; health insurance; human; insurance; outcome assessment; statistics and numerical data; United States, Humans; Insurance Coverage; Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; Patient Outcome Assessment; Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Prescription Drugs; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302240_0

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302240

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