1. Does increased adherence to medications change health care financial burdens for adults with diabetes? 成年糖尿病患者对药物依从性的增加是否会改变医疗保健的财政负担?
- Author
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Miller, G. Edward, Sarpong, Eric M., and Hill, Steven C.
- Subjects
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PATIENT compliance , *MEDICAL care costs , *TREATMENT of diabetes , *DRUGS , *MEDICAL care - Abstract
Background The aim of the present study was to investigate increased out-of-pocket drug costs and financial burdens of achieving adherence to oral antidiabetic medications and medications for prevalent comorbidities. Methods Concurrent adherence to medications, out-of-pocket drug costs, and financial burdens were measured among non-elderly adults with diabetes in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. 'Financial burden' was defined as spending on health care exceeding 10% of family income. This study simulated the increased out-of-pocket drug costs and financial burdens that would result if non-adherent adults in our sample had obtained sufficient medications to be adherent. For each adult, for all therapeutic classes in which they were non-adherent, we calculated the additional days supplied required to become adherent, as well as out-of-pocket spending on these additional days supplied. Results Approximately one-quarter adhered to all required medications. Among non-adherent adults with employer-sponsored insurance and public insurance, the mean annual out-of-pocket drug costs of achieving adherence were US$171 and US$68, respectively, which was generally affordable. However, 35.6% of the uninsured lived in families that spent 10% or more of their income on health care. Mean simulated additional out-of-pocket drug costs of achieving adherence were US$310 for the uninsured. These additional drug costs would increase those spending 10% or more of income to 39.6% of the uninsured. Conclusions Efforts to reduce the costs faced by the uninsured and insured will make adherence more affordable and, therefore, more attainable for some adults with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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