By Trend News Line 2024-04-09 13:00:00.
A recent retrospective cohort study conducted at a large academic medical center aimed to identify the most commonly prescribed medications, the location where prescriptions were filled, and the use of vouchers among patients enrolled in a charitable care program. The study analyzed electronic health record and pharmacy dispensing information at the medical center’s outpatient pharmacies.
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The study included 511 patients, the majority of whom were Spanish-speaking. A total of 8,453 prescriptions were identified, with more than half being sent to external outpatient pharmacies. The most frequently prescribed medications were for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pain treatment. Forty-seven percent of all prescriptions were filled at the medical center’s outpatient pharmacies. The charitable care program covered the costs of 44% of the prescriptions filled at internal pharmacies, aiding 148 unique patients and incurring a cost of $111,052 for the medical center.
The analysis revealed that prescriptions for chronic medications were variably filled at medical center outpatient pharmacies, resulting in significant costs to the medical center. Commonly prescribed medications included treatments for chronic diseases and pain, with low-cost alternatives being preferred over more expensive treatments. A significant portion of prescriptions were filled at medical center outpatient pharmacies and were paid for by charitable care.
The study highlighted the importance of consistent access to medications in reducing costs for the medical center. More than 28 million individuals under the age of 65 in the US are uninsured, leading to cost-related medication underuse and nonadherence. Poor medication adherence has been associated with poorer health outcomes, including increased use of costly health care services and higher morbidity and mortality rates.
In academic medical centers, patients without insurance may receive charitable care to cover medically necessary procedures and visits. However, access to outpatient medications and services may vary across institutions. A charitable medication formulary could help address barriers to medication access, such as lack of transportation, language discordance, and difficulty enrolling in assistance programs.
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The study’s findings can inform the development and feasibility of a charitable medication formulary to improve patient access and health outcomes while reducing costs for academic medical centers. By understanding prescribing patterns, payment methods, and medication costs for patients receiving charitable care, institutions can better support this vulnerable population and enhance the quality of care provided..
– charitable medication access uninsured patients
– institutional practices charitable medication access.
