Dual eligibles with mental disorders and Medicare part D: how are they faring?

Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 May-Jun;28(3):746-59. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.746.

Abstract

In 2006, six million beneficiaries who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid switched from Medicaid to Medicare Part D for coverage of their prescription drugs. This change led to an expanded role for Medicare in financing psychotropic medications for dual eligibles. A reduction in the number of plans serving these beneficiaries and an increase in utilization restrictions for some psychotropics since 2006 raise concerns about access to medications for dual eligibles with mental disorders and point to potential problems with adverse selection. To improve access for this population, Medicare might consider changes to its enrollment and risk-sharing systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Drug Costs / standards
  • Drug Utilization Review
  • Eligibility Determination*
  • Financing, Government / economics
  • Financing, Personal / economics
  • Health Policy* / economics
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics
  • Humans
  • Insurance Coverage / economics
  • Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services* / economics
  • Medicaid*
  • Medicare*
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Mental Disorders / economics
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects
  • Psychotropic Drugs / economics
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs