Posted on 21. Jul, 2009 by admin in Library
Kathryn Fitch and the team at Milliman have produced this excellent report on the state of the value-based healthcare movement as it relates to diabetes management. The analysis quantifies the projected costs associated with implementing VBID for diabetes drugs. Read the full report.
Posted on 09. Jun, 2009 by cyndynayer in Library
We’re pleased to highlight this new research demonstrating the positive results of value-based benefit design. Dr. Robert Scully, a board member of the Center for Health Value Innovation, is one of the people at the forefront of this research. Here’s the press release:
MedImpact Study Highlights Effects of Value-Based Benefit Design on Adherence to Diabetes Medications
New Research Showing VBBD Implementation Improves Adherence Presented at ISPOR International Conference
San Diego, Calif., June 2, 2009—MedImpact researchers and Health Alliance Medical Plans, a MedImpact client, presented findings from an important new study that evaluates the impact of value-based benefit design (VBBD) on adherence to diabetes medications. Study results show that implementation of a VBBD program that reduced copayment by almost fifty percent for diabetic medications resulted in significantly improved medication adherence.
VBBD, also known as value-based insurance design, is a new pharmacy benefit design that defines drug copay on clinical value rather than drug acquisition cost. The rationale behind VBBD is that many important treatments for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and asthma, are often underused due to cost, leading to undesirable patient outcomes such as an increase in complications and preventable hospitalizations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a VBBD on adherence to diabetes medications among a pilot group of Carle Clinic enrollees.
The program reduced copayment for diabetic medications by 47.6 percent and improved the odds of adherence by 73.3 percent. The number of non-adherent patients was reduced by 33.4 percent.
“This study adds to a growing body of evidence that shows adherence to treatment is higher when there are lower copays,” said Dr. Robert Scully, senior medical director for Health Alliance Medical Plans. “Companies such as Pitney Bowes have reported that improved adherence after introduction of a VBBD for diabetic medications was followed by lower overall claim costs in their diabetic population. Our goal is to prove this in an insured population, and the pilot data we are reporting now is very encouraging.”
The MedImpact study—“The Impact of Formulary Value-Based Insurance Design on Adherence to Diabetes Medications: A Propensity Score Matched Difference in Difference Evaluation”—was presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 14th Annual International Meeting on Tuesday, May 19.
“ISPOR is an innovative, vital organization that supports the science of health economics and the effects of health care interventions on patient well-being,” said Dr. Louis Brunetti, senior vice president and chief medical officer for MedImpact. “The research presented during the annual meeting is translated into valuable information for health care decision-makers and ultimately helps to better allocate scarce health care resources.”
ISPOR represents researchers and practitioners, including pharmacists, physicians, and economists. The research findings benefit all members of the health care continuum, including hospitals, patients and managed care and pharmacy benefit design organization’s personnel, who use the information to make better informed health care decisions.
Posted on 25. May, 2009 by admin in Library, News
CHVI President Cyndy Nayer is quoted in an article on HartfordBusiness.com, praising an unusual pay-for-performance contract between Cigna and Merck. The deal is this: Cigna gets discounts on Merck diabetes drugs Januvia and Janumet if covered patients take their drugs as prescribed, and even more discounts if patients’ blood sugar drops — on any regimen, not just the Merck-made drugs. Nayer said:
“It’s very significant for the industry. There is a commitment on both sides to improve the
health of the population.”
Read the full story here or download it as a PDF.
