Out-of-Pocket Costs for Prostate Cancer Medications Substantially Vary by Medicare Part D Plan: An Online Tool Presents an Opportunity to Mitigate Financial Toxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with advanced prostate cancer are frequently prescribed enzalutamide or abiraterone, often requiring high out-of-pocket costs. Many of these patients are insured through Medicare and have an option to select among 54 different Part D drug plans. However, less than 30% of patients report comparing costs before selecting a plan. An online Part D plan navigator is publicly available and allows patients to compare estimated out-of-pocket prescriptions costs. In this study, we examine the variability of out-of-pocket costs based on available Part D drug plans for patients with prostate cancer and demonstrate how an online tool could save patients thousands of dollars. METHODS: We identified drug plans available for selection in 2023 using the online Medicare Part D Plan Finder. We sampled plan options for 12 different zip codes within the United States. A university-sponsored specialty cancer pharmacy and online mail-order pharmacy were included for comparison. We identified out-of-pocket costs for enzalutamide and abiraterone based on all Part D plans available for selection. RESULTS: On average, 24 Part D drug plans were available for each zip code. Median annual out-of-pocket costs were $11,626 for enzalutamide and $9,275 for abiraterone. The range of annual out-of-pocket costs were $9,854 to $13,061 for enzalutamide and $1,379 to $13,274 for abiraterone. Within certain zip codes, potential out-of-pocket cost savings were $2,512 for enzalutamide and $9,321 for abiraterone. Median difference of out-of-pocket cost between enzalutamide and abiraterone was $8,758. CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-pocket costs vary considerably across Part D drug plans. The Medicare Part D Plan Finder is a simple and effective tool to identify affordable drug plans. Guidance on plan selection could save patients thousands of dollars and help mitigate the financial toxicity of treatment. Comprehensive cancer centers could include plan navigators as an essential component of treatment.

Multimorbidity status and annual healthcare expenditures of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a Dutch hospital-centered versus population-based comparison.

The prevalence of multimorbidity among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is increasing and associated with worse outcomes. Therefore, management of multimorbid patients requires a multidisciplinary approach. However, healthcare systems consist of mono-disciplinary subsystems, which limits collaboration across subsystems. To study the importance of a multidisciplinary, integrated approach, associations between expenditures and multimorbidity are assessed in real-life data. Retrospective data on RA patients from a Dutch single-hospital are analyzed and compared to the Dutch RA population data. The Elixhauser index is used to measure the multimorbidity prevalence. Regression analyses were conducted to derive the relationship between multimorbidity, healthcare costs and self-reported quality of life (e.g. EQ-5D). When analyzing the impact of multimorbidity within RA patients in context of a single-hospital context, multimorbidity is only partially captured: 13% prevalence versus 24% of the Dutch population. Multimorbidity is associated with higher care expenditures. Depending on the type of multimorbidity, expenditures are €43-€5821 higher in a single-hospital and from €2259-€9648 in population data. Finally, medication use associated with chronic diseases and self-reported aspects of well-being are associated with similar increases in healthcare expenditures as multimorbidity based on hospital care. Within RA, a single-hospital approach underestimates the association between multimorbidity and healthcare expenditures as 43% of healthcare utilization and expenditures are missed. To overcome a single-provider perspective in healthcare and efficiently coordinate multimorbid patients, besides providing holistic care, professionals also need to use data providing comprehensive pictures of patients.

Association Between Care Fragmentation and Total Spending After Durable Left Ventricular Device Implant: A Mediation Analysis of Health Care-Associated Infections Within a National Medicare-Society of Thoracic Surgeons Intermacs Linked Dataset.

BACKGROUND: Care fragmentation is associated with higher rates of infection after durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. Less is known about the relationship between care fragmentation and total spending, and whether this relationship is mediated by infections. METHODS: Total payments were captured from admission to 180 days post-discharge. Drawing on network theory, a measure of care fragmentation was developed based on the number of shared patients among providers (ie, anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, critical care specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) caring for 4,987 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing LVAD implantation between July 2009 - April 2017. Care fragmentation was measured using average path length, which describes how efficiently information flows among network members; longer path length indicates greater fragmentation. Terciles based on the level of care fragmentation and multivariable regression were used to analyze the relationship between care fragmentation and LVAD payments and mediation analysis was used to evaluate the role of post-implant infections. RESULTS: The patient cohort was 81% male, 73% white, 11% Intermacs Profile 1 with mean (SD) age of 63.1 years (11.1). The mean (SD) level of care fragmentation in provider networks was 1.7 (0.2) and mean (SD) payment from admission to 180 days post-discharge was $246,905 ($109,872). Mean (SD) total payments at the lower, middle, and upper terciles of care fragmentation were $250,135 ($111,924), $243,288 ($109,376), and $247,290 ($108,241), respectively. In mediation analysis, the indirect effect of care fragmentation on total payments, through infections, was positive and statistically significant (ß=16032.5, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Greater care fragmentation in the delivery of care surrounding durable LVAD implantation is associated with a higher incidence of infections, and consequently, higher payments for Medicare beneficiaries. Interventions to reduce care fragmentation may reduce the incidence of infections and in turn enhance the value of care for patients undergoing durable LVAD implantation.

Health costs of women with chronic overlapping pain conditions by opioid and complementary and integrative health use.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate differences in average annual health care expenditures of adult women with chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) by pain treatment modality as follows: (1) no long-term opioid or complementary and integrative health (CIH) use; (2) CIH only use; (3) long-term opioid only use; and (4) long-term opioid and CIH use. DATA SOURCE: Cross-sectional Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2012-2016). STUDY DESIGN: We estimated differences between average annual expenditures of adult women with COPCs by their use of long-term opioids and CIH modalities. Generalized linear regression with a log link function was used to estimate adjusted marginal effects in annual expenditures. The distribution family was chosen based on Modified Park Tests. We controlled for pain severity, patient demographic characteristics, physical limitations, comorbidities, mental health, insurance status, physical therapy use, and census region. We also employed propensity-score based marginal mean weighting through stratification to balance our treatment groups on observed covariates. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: We identified adult women (>17 years) with one or more self-reported COPC using 3-digit International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/10-Clinical Modification (CM) codes (N = 9169) and categorized their use of CIH and long-term opioids. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Compared to women without long-term opioid or CIH use, CIH only use was significantly associated with lower inpatient expenditures (-$947 [-$1699, -$196]; p-value < 0.01), higher office-based expenditures ($1345 [$944, $1746]; p-value < 0.001), and higher patient out-of-pocket expenditures ($628 [$409, $848]; p-value < 0.001). Long-term opioid use, alone or in combination with CIH, was significantly associated with higher expenditures (p-value < 0.05) in total and across all utilization categories compared to women without any long-term opioid or CIH use. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that CIH treatment approaches for chronic pain have the potential to be utilized without increasing overall costs. Future research should further examine the role of CIH modalities in achieving cost-effective pain management that reduces avoidable opioid use.

Out-of-pocket costs for patients with psoriasis in an outpatient dermatology referral service

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a chronic disease that derives great costs to the health care system. In Colombia, due to deficiencies in this system, patients are more likely to incur in out-of-pocket expenses; money that has never been quantified in this country. Objectives: To quantify out-of-pocket expenses and to analyze their relation to patients' clinical and labor characteristics in a cohort of psoriatic patients. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study was performed, evaluating psoriasis patients. Results: A total of 100 psoriasis patients were analyzed. We identified that patients with higher dermatology life quality index and in phototherapy treatment were the ones that had higher out-of-pocket costs (p = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). We found no correlation between out-of-pocket costs and occupational status, psoriasis area severity index or other types of treatment. The largest amount of money was used to buy medications and bus transportation with a maximum up to 440.50 and 528.60 USD, respectively. Among the 100 participants the total expense was 11131.90 USD in a 6-month period. Study limitations: Lack of measurement of the labor productivity and labor absenteeism secondary to sick leave. Conclusion: Out-of-pocket costs are similar with what was shown in previous studies. We found statistically significant differences for the DLQI in comparison with out-of-pocket expenses, regardless of the PASI level. Phototherapy treatment also had statistically significant differences in relationship with out-of-pocket expenses, when compared to other treatments, because it requires higher expenses in transportation, copayments, and alimentation during appointment assistance.

Out-of-pocket costs for patients with psoriasis in an outpatient dermatology referral service.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic disease that derives great costs to the health care system. In Colombia, due to deficiencies in this system, patients are more likely to incur in out-of-pocket expenses; money that has never been quantified in this country. OBJECTIVES: To quantify out-of-pocket expenses and to analyze their relation to patients' clinical and labor characteristics in a cohort of psoriatic patients. METHODS: A single-center, cross-sectional study was performed, evaluating psoriasis patients. RESULTS: A total of 100 psoriasis patients were analyzed. We identified that patients with higher dermatology life quality index and in phototherapy treatment were the ones that had higher out-of-pocket costs (p = 0.006 and 0.005, respectively). We found no correlation between out-of-pocket costs and occupational status, psoriasis area severity index or other types of treatment. The largest amount of money was used to buy medications and bus transportation with a maximum up to 440.50 and 528.60 USD, respectively. Among the 100 participants the total expense was 11131.90 USD in a 6-month period. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Lack of measurement of the labor productivity and labor absenteeism secondary to sick leave. CONCLUSION: Out-of-pocket costs are similar with what was shown in previous studies. We found statistically significant differences for the DLQI in comparison with out-of-pocket expenses, regardless of the PASI level. Phototherapy treatment also had statistically significant differences in relationship with out-of-pocket expenses, when compared to other treatments, because it requires higher expenses in transportation, copayments, and alimentation during appointment assistance.

Pré-natal de gestantes de risco habitual por enfermeira obstetra e obstetriz: custo-efetividade sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar / Prenatal care for normal-risk pregnant women by obstetric nurses and midwives: cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the Supplementary Health System in Brazil / Período prenatal de gestantes de riesgo habitual con enfermera obstetra y partera: costo-efectividad desde la perspectiva del Sistema de Salud Suplementario

Em diversos países, a atenção primária às gestantes é conduzida por enfermeiras obstetras e/ou obstetrizes. No Sistema Suplementar de Saúde no Brasil, a cobertura da assistência pré-natal é obrigatória e realizada por médicos obstetras. O objetivo deste estudo é conduzir análise de custo-efetividade, comparando desfechos clínicos e custos associados à incorporação do pré-natal por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes no âmbito do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar, sob a perspectiva da operadora de planos de saúde como fonte pagadora. Foi construída uma árvore de decisão, baseada nos dados de metanálise da Colaboração Cochrane que mostrou redução do risco de parto prematuro no grupo de gestantes de risco habitual acompanhado por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes. Foram considerados apenas os custos médicos diretos cobertos pelas operadoras de planos de saúde para a realização de consultas e exames essenciais, conforme protocolo do Ministério da Saúde vigente. Assumiu-se custo unitário de consulta com cada profissional como iguais e aplicou-se um aumento do custo global com exames pré-natais associado ao acompanhamento médico, conforme dado obtido na literatura. Estimou-se a razão de custo-efetividade incremental de -R$ 10.038,43 (economia de R$ 10.038,43) por parto prematuro evitado. Esse resultado mostrou-se consistente nas análises de sensibilidade, com economias associadas à substituição variando de -R$ 2.544,60 até -R$ 31.807,46 por parto prematuro evitado. Como conclusão, observou-se que o cuidado pré-natal por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes é superior ao prestado por médicos obstetras para o desfecho prevenção de parto prematuro, resultando ainda em economia de recursos.

In several countries, primary care for pregnant women is performed by obstetric nurses and/or midwives. In Brazil's Supplementary Health System (private health insurance and out-of-pocket care), coverage of prenatal care is mandatory and is performed by medical obstetricians. The objective of this study is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing clinical outcomes and costs associated with the incorporation of prenatal care by obstetric nurses and midwives in the Supplementary Health System, from the perspective of the operator of health plans as the payment source. A decision tree was built, based on data from a Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis that showed a reduction in the risk of premature birth in the group of normal-risk pregnant women accompanied by obstetric nurses and midwives. The analysis only considered the direct medical costs covered by health plan operators for essential appointments and tests, according to the prevailing Ministry of Health protocol. The study assumed equal unit costs of consultations by medical professionals and applied an increase in the overall cost of prenatal tests associated with medical follow-up, based on data from the literature. Incremental cost-effective ratio was estimated at -BRL 10,038.43 (savings of BRL 10,038.43) per premature birth avoided. This result was consistent with the sensitivity analyses, with savings associated with the substitution ranging from -BRL 2,544.60 to -BRL 31,807.46 per premature death avoided. In conclusion, prenatal care provided by obstetric nurses and midwives was superior to that provided by medical obstetricians for the prevention of premature birth, besides resulting in cost savings.

En diversos países, la atención primaria a las gestantes se realiza con enfermeras obstetras y/o parteras. En el Sistema Suplementario de Salud en Brasil, la cobertura de la asistencia prenatal es obligatoria y la realizan médicos obstetras. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar un análisis de costo-efectividad, comparando resultados clínicos y costes asociados a la incorporación en el período prenatal de enfermeras obstetras y parteras, en el ámbito del Sistema de Salud Suplementaria, desde la perspectiva de una operadora de planes de salud como fuente pagadora. Se construyó un árbol de decisión, basado en datos de metaanálisis de la Colaboración Cochrane, que mostró una reducción del riesgo de parto prematuro en el grupo de gestantes de riesgo habitual, con un seguimiento de enfermeras obstetras y parteras. Se consideraron solo los costes médicos directos, cubiertos por las operadoras de planes de salud para la realización de consultas y exámenes esenciales, conforme el protocolo vigente del Ministerio de Salud. Se asumió el coste unitario de consulta con cada profesional como iguales, y se aplicó un aumento del coste global con exámenes prenatales asociado al seguimiento médico, conforme los datos obtenidos en la literatura. Se estimó la razón de costo-efectividad incremental de -BRL 10.038,43 (economía de BRL 10.038,43) por parto prematuro evitado. Este resultado se mostró consistente en los análisis de sensibilidad, con ahorros asociados a la sustitución, variando de -BRL 2.544,60 hasta -BRL 31.807,46 por parto prematuro evitado. Como conclusión, se observó que el cuidado prenatal por parte de enfermeras obstetras y parteras es superior al prestado por médicos obstetras para el desenlace de prevención de parto prematuro, resultando incluso en un ahorro de recursos.

Custo e efetividade de modalidades de serviços de atenção domiciliar para a população idosa: revisão integrativa da literatura / Cost and effectiveness of home care services modalities for the older population: integrative literature review / Costo y efectividad de las modalidades de servicios de atención domiciliaria para la población mayor: revisión integradora de la literatura

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as modalidades de serviços de AD direcionadas ao público idoso, identificando a oferta de serviços no domicílio e seus resultados referentes aos custos e a efetividade. Método: revisão da literatura realizada nas bases de dados Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Indice Bibliográico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS) via Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde (BVS), Medline via Pubmed, Scopus, Web of science, Cumulative Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) e Cochrane. Foram incluídos 16 estudos publicados no período de 2008 a 2017, submetidos à análise de conteúdo. Resultados: a análise evidenciou que há diferentes modalidades de serviços que podem ser ofertados para a população idosa, incluindo o cuidado no domicílio. As modalidades identificadas foram serviços de visitas domiciliares, internação domiciliar; serviços institucionais de longa permanência; serviços de suporte de longo prazo que associam cuidado no domicílio e cuidado comunitário e serviços institucionais de transição de cuidado. Essas modalidades variaram segundo as formas de organização, público-alvo, resultados alcançados e custos associados. Os serviços mais custo-efetivos para os idosos foram os que incluem intervenção no domicílio tanto para condições agudas quanto crônicas; internação domiciliar; serviços combinados de intervenção domiciliar e comunitária, instituições de transição de cuidado e instituições de longa permanência. Conclusão: a atenção domiciliar, especialmente aquelas que ofertam intervenções no domicílio, mostrou-se com melhores resultados capazes de reduzir os custos gerais para os sistemas de saúde e pode ser efetiva na medida em que responde às demandas por cuidados requeridas pelos idosos.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar las modalidades de los servicios de AD dirigidos al público anciano, identificando la oferta de servicios a domicilio y sus resultados en cuanto a costos y efectividad. Método: revisión de la literatura realizada en las bases de datos de Literatura Latinoamericana y Caribeña en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) e Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS) vía Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS), Medline vía Pubmed, Scopus, Web of science, Cumulative Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL (CINAHL) y Cochrane. Se incluyeron 16 estudios publicados de 2008 a 2017, sometidos a análisis de contenido. Resultados: el análisis mostró que existen diferentes tipos de servicios que se pueden ofrecer a la población anciana, incluida la atención domiciliaria. Las modalidades identificadas fueron servicios de visitas domiciliarias, atención domiciliaria; servicios institucionales a largo plazo; servicios de apoyo a largo plazo que combinan atención domiciliaria y atención comunitaria, y servicios de transición de atención institucional. Estas modalidades variaron según las formas de organización, público objetivo, resultados obtenidos y costos asociados. Los servicios más rentables para los ancianos fueron los que incluían intervención domiciliaria tanto para enfermedades agudas como crónicas; cuidados en el hogar; servicios combinados de intervención en el hogar y la comunidad, instituciones de atención de transición e instalaciones de atención a largo plazo. Conclusión: la atención domiciliaria, especialmente aquellos que ofrecen intervenciones en el hogar, ha demostrado tener mejores resultados capaces de reducir los costos globales para los sistemas de salud y puede ser eficaz en la medida en que responda a las demandas de atención que requieren las personas mayores.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the modalities of AD services aimed at the older people, identifying the offer of services at home and its results regarding costs and effectiveness. Method: literature review carried out in the databases of Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) and Indice Bibliográico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS) via Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde (BVS), Medline via Pubmed, Scopus, Web of science, Cumulative Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane. Sixteen studies published from 2008 to 2017 were included and submitted to content analysis. Results: the analysis showed that there are different types of services that can be offered to the older population, including home care. The modalities identified were home visiting services, home hospitalization; long-term institutional services; long-term support services that combine home and community care, and institutional care transition services. These modalities varied according to the forms of organization, target audience, results achieved, and associated costs. The most cost-effective services for the older adults were those that included home intervention for both acute and chronic conditions; home care; combined home and community intervention services, transitional care institutions, and long-term care facilities. Conclusion: home care, especially those that offer interventions at home, showed better results capable of reducing overall costs for health systems and can be effective as it responds to the demands for care required by older people.

Annual Prevalence, Health Expenditures, and Co-Morbidities Trend of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Korea: National Health Insurance Service Data from 2002 to 2013.

Despite improvements in nutritional status, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a debilitating nutritional problem worldwide. We estimate annual IDA prevalence rates by sex and age and the trends therein in Korea. We also calculate the health expenditures of IDA and its co-morbidities by analyzing claims data in the National Health Information Database from 2002 to 2013. All analyses were performed based on diagnosis codes of IDA (D50, D50.0, D50.8, and D50.9) regardless of whether IDA was the principal or a coexisting disease. Trends in IDA prevalence rates were evaluated by calculating annual percent changes (APCs) in prevalence. The health expenditures of IDA were calculated based on the direct medical costs (outpatient and hospitalization costs, pharmaceutical costs) and direct non-medical costs (travel costs). The overall IDA prevalence in both sexes increased approximately 2.3-fold from 2002 to 2013; the APC was +7.6%. In females, the prevalence of IDA was highest in aged 30-39 and 40-49 years. The APC was highest in those aged <10 years (+18.2%), followed by those aged ≥80 (+14.7%) and 70-79 (+9.8%) years. In males, the prevalence rates were highest in aged <10 years, followed by those aged ≥60 years. The APC was highest in those aged <10 years (+19.1%), followed by those aged ≥80 years (+10.5%). The total health expenditures increased 2.8-fold during 12 years. Diseases of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract were the most prevalent co-morbidities in both males and females. The annual prevalence of IDA continues to rise in association with adverse health expenditures and co-morbidities in spite of improvements in nutritional status. Most importantly, infants and young children, the elderly, and females aged 30-49 years are at highest risk of IDA. A national, prospective, and well-organized effort to improve iron status and to manage IDA is required.

Patient-reported financial toxicity and adverse medical consequences in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Financial toxicity (FT) is a significant barrier to high-quality cancer care, and patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) are particularly vulnerable given their need for intensive support, daily radiotherapy (RT), and management of long-term physical, functional, and psychosocial morbidities following treatment. We aim to identify predictors of FT and adverse consequences in HNCA following RT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective survey study of patients with HNCA seen in follow-up at an academic comprehensive cancer center (CCC) or Veterans Affairs hospital between 05/2016 and 06/2018. Surveys included validated patient-reported functional outcomes and the COST measure, a validated instrument for measuring FT. RESULTS: The response rate was 86% (n = 63). Younger age and lower median household income by county were associated with lower COST scores (i.e., worse FT) on multivariable analysis (p = .045 and p = .016, respectively). Patients with worse FT were more likely to skip clinic visits (RR (95% CI) 2.13 (1.23-3.67), p = .007), be noncompliant with recommended supplements or medications (1.24 (1.03-1.48), p = .02), and require supportive infusions (1.10 (1.02-1.20), p = .02). At the CCC, patients with worse FT were more likely to require feeding tubes (1.62 (1.14-2.31), p = .007). Overall, 36% reported that costs were higher than expected, 48% were worried about paying for treatment, and 33% reported at least a moderate financial burden from treatment. CONCLUSION: HNCA patients experience substantial FT from their diagnosis and/or therapy, with potential implications for medical compliance, QOL, and survivorship care.

Implementing Risk Stratification in Primary Care: Challenges and Strategies.

INTRODUCTION: Primary care risk stratification (RS) has been shown to help practices better understand their patient populations' needs and may improve health outcomes and reduce expenditures by targeting and tailoring care to high-need patients. This study aims to understand key considerations practices faced and practice experiences as they began to implement RS models. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews about experiences in RS with 34 stakeholders from 15 primary care practices in Oregon and Colorado and qualitatively analyzed the data. RESULTS: Three decisions were important in shaping practices' experiences with RS: choosing established versus self-created algorithms or heuristics, clinical intuition, or a combination; selecting mechanisms for assigning risk scores; determining how to integrate RS approaches into care delivery. Practices using clinical intuition found stratification time-consuming and difficult to incorporate into existing workflows, but trusted risk scores more than those using algorithms. Trust in risk scores was influenced by data extraction capabilities; practices often lacked sufficient data to calculate their perceived optimal risk score. Displaying the scores to the care team was a major issue. Finally, obtaining buy-in from care team members was challenging, requiring repeated cycles of improvement and workflow integration. DISCUSSION: Practices used iterative approaches to RS implementation. As a result, procedural and algorithmic changes were introduced and were influenced by practices' health IT, staffing, and resource capacities. Practices were most successful when able to make iterative changes to their approaches, incorporated both automation and human process in RS, educated staff on the importance of RS, and had readily accessible risk scores.

Out-of-Pocket Cost Is a Barrier to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is increasingly performed to optimize biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, patients and physicians may be reluctant to perform TDM due to concerns related to potential out-of-pocket costs. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient understanding and attitudes toward TDM in different clinical scenarios with and without potential out-of-pocket costs. METHODS: Adult IBD patients at a tertiary gastroenterology clinic were anonymously surveyed from March to September 2016 to assess their understanding of and willingness to undergo TDM in a variety of clinical scenarios, both with and without a potential out-of-pocket cost. Responses were analyzed for associations with changes in attitudes if out-of-pocket costs were involved. RESULTS: Of 118 completed surveys, 68.2% of patients were aware of or had previously undergone TDM. Patient willingness to undergo TDM was high both with and without potential out-of-pocket costs (70 and 98%, respectively); however, patients were significantly less willing with out-of-pocket cost (p < 0.01). Higher disease-related quality of life scores, as measured by the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ), was significantly associated with an increased willingness to assume a potential out-of-pocket cost (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients understand and are willing to undergo TDM in certain potentially beneficial clinical scenarios, however, are significantly less willing if paying out-of-pocket. A higher SIBDQ score was associated with an increase in willingness to undergo TDM when out-of-pocket cost was involved. Physicians should discuss TDM with their patients in order to make an informed and personalized treatment decision.

Comparing Medical Ecology, Utilization, and Expenditures Between 1996-1997 and 2011-2012.

PURPOSE: This study compared ecology (number of individuals using a service), utilization (number of services used), and expenditures (dollars spent) for various categories of medical services between primarily 1996-1997 and 2011-2012. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study was performed using nationally representative data mainly from the 1996, 1997, 2011, and 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). These data were augmented with the 2002-2003 MEPS as well as the 1999-2000 and 2011-2012 National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey. Individuals (number per 1,000 people), utilization, and expenditures during an average month in 1996-1997 and 2011-2012 were determined for 15 categories of services. RESULTS: The number of individuals who used various medical services was unchanged for many categories of services (total, outpatient, outpatient physician, users of prescribed medications, primary care and specialty physicians, inpatient hospitalization, and emergency department). It was, however, increased for others (optometry/podiatry, therapy, and alternative/complementary medicine) and decreased for a few (dental and home health). The number of services used (utilization) largely mirrored the findings for individual use, with the exception of an increase in the number of prescribed medications and a decrease in number of primary care physician visits. There were large increases in dollars spent (expenditures) in every category with the exception of primary care physician and home health; the largest absolute increases were in prescribed medications, specialty physicians, emergency department visits, and likely inpatient hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of individuals with visits during an average month and the total utilization of medical services were largely unchanged between the 2 time periods, total expenditures increased markedly. The increases in expenditure varied dramatically by category.

[The way from cost approval to bariatric surgery : Analysis of resource utilization in a maximum care hospital]. / Vom Antrag auf Kostengutsprache bis zur bariatrischen Operation : Personelle Ressourcenanalyse an einem Zentrum der Maximalversorgung.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is a medical and economic challenge. Patients who have the indications for bariatric surgery face a long way from the first visit until surgery and a high utilization of resources is required. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate labor costs and labor time required to supervise obese patients from their first visit until preparation of a bariatric report to ask for cost acceptance of bariatric surgery from their health insurance. In addition, the reasons for not receiving bariatric surgery after receiving cost acceptance from the health insurance were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who had indications for bariatric surgery according to the S3 guidelines between 2012 and 2013, were evaluated regarding labor costs and labor time of the process from the first visit until receiving cost acceptance from their health insurance. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI), age, sex, Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) stage and comorbidities were evaluated. Patients who had not received surgery up to December 2015 were contacted via telephone to ask for the reasons. RESULTS: In the present study 176 patients were evaluated (110 females, 62.5%). Until preparation of a bariatric report the patients required an average of 2.7 combined visits in the department of surgery with the department of nutrition, 1.7 visits in the department of psychosomatic medicine, 1.5 separate visits in the department of nutrition and 1.4 visits in the department of internal medicine. Average labor costs from the first visit until the bariatric survey were 404.90 ± 117.00 euros and 130 out of 176 bariatric reports were accepted by the health insurance (73.8%). For another 40 patients a second bariatric survey was made and 20 of these (50%) were accepted, which results in a total acceptance rate of 85.2% (150 out of 176). After a mean follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.1 years only 93 out of 176 patients had received bariatric surgery (53.8%). Of these 16 had received acceptance of surgery by their health insurance only after a second bariatric survey. CONCLUSION: A large amount of labor and financial resources are required for treatment of obese patients from first presentation up to bariatric surgery. The cost-benefit calculation of an obesity center needs to include that approximately one half of the patients do not receive surgery within more than 2.5 years.

Eficiencia de los procesos administrativos para la gestión del Fondo de Protección contra Gastos Catastróficos en México / Administrative efficiency in the Mexican Fund for the Prevention of Catastrophic Expenditures in Health

Resumen: Objetivo: Mostrar que el régimen administrativo de hospitales de especialidad influye en la eficiencia de los procesos administrativos para operar el Fondo de Protección contra Gastos Catastróficos (FPGC), para la atención de cáncer de mama, cáncer cérvicouterino y leucemia linfoblástica aguda. Material y métodos: La variable para estimar la eficiencia del proceso administrativo fue el tiempo entre la notificación del caso y el reembolso. Para su estimación se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con actores clave involucrados en la gestión de casos financiados por el FPGC. Se organizó también un grupo de expertos para emitir recomendaciones de mejora. Resultados: Los hospitales de especialidad con un esquema descentralizado mostraron menor tiempo en el proceso administrativo en contraste con el modelo administrado por los Servicios Estatales de Salud, donde los tiempos fueron mayores y donde hubo mayores niveles de intermediación. Conclusiones: El modelo de hospitales especializados con un esquema descentralizado es más eficiente debido a que tiene mayor autonomía.

Abstract: Objective: To show that the administrative regime of specialized hospitals has some influence on the administrative processes to operate the Mexican Fund for Catastrophic Expenditures in Health (FPGC, in Spanish), for providing health care to breast cancer, cervical cancer and child leukemia. Materials and methods: The variable for estimating administrative efficiency was the time estimated from case notification to reimbursement. For its estimation, semistructured interviews were applied to key actors involved in management of cancer care financed by FPGC. Additionally, a group of experts was organized to make recommendations for improving processes. Results: Specialized hospitals with a decentralized scheme showed less time to solve the administrative process in comparison with the model on the hospitals dependent on State Health Services, where timing and intermediation levels were higher. Conclusions: Decentralized hospitals administrative scheme for specialized care is more efficient, because they tend to be more autonomous.

Implantable Neurostimulation for Headache Disorders: Effect on Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic daily headache is a considerable source of morbidity for patients and also carries an enormous economic burden. Patients who fail standard medication regimens lack well-defined therapies, and neurostimulation is an emerging option for these patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cost utility of implantable neurostimulation for treatment of headache. METHODS: We utilized the Thompson Reuters Marketscan Data base to identify individuals diagnosed with headache disorders who underwent percutaneous neurostimulation. Healthcare expenditures for individuals who subsequently received permanent, surgically implanted neurostimulatory devices were compared to those who did not. Only individuals who sought implantable neurostimulation were included to account for headache severity. The cohorts were adjusted for comorbidity and prior headache-related expenses. Costs were modeled longitudinally using a generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: A total of 579 patients who underwent percutaneous trial of neurostimulation were included, of which 324 (55.96%) converted to permanent neurostimulation within one year. Unadjusted expenditures were greater for patients who underwent conversion to the permanent neurostimulation device, as expected. Costs grew at a lower rate for patients who converted to permanent device implantation. Cost neutrality for patients receiving the permanent device was reached in less than five years after the enrollment date. The mean cost of conversion to a permanent implantation was $18,607.53 (SD $26,441.34). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that implantable neurostimulation reduces healthcare expenditures within a relatively short time period in patients with severe refractory headache.

Influência do excesso de peso e da obesidade nos gastos em saúde nos domicílios brasileiros / The influence of excess weight and obesity on health spending in Brazilian households / Influencia del exceso de peso y la obesidad en el gasto en salud en los hogares brasileños

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do excesso de peso e da obesidade sobre os gastos em saúde nos domicílios brasileiros. Dados da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares de 2008-2009 foram utilizados para estimar os gastos familiares privados em saúde, que compreendem os gastos por desembolso direto, incluindo a aquisição de medicamentos e o pagamento por serviços de assistência à saúde, e avaliar o estado nutricional dos moradores dos 55.970 domicílios. Os gastos mensais em saúde e seus componentes foram analisados segundo o número de indivíduos com excesso de peso e obesidade nos domicílios (nenhum, um, dois ou três, ou mais indivíduos). A presença e o aumento do número de indivíduos com excesso de peso e obesidade resultaram em maiores gastos em saúde, com destaque para as despesas com medicamentos e planos de saúde. Tais resultados foram mantidos após ajuste (renda, região, área, presença de idosos e número de moradores nos domicílios). O excesso de peso e a obesidade influenciaram positivamente os gastos privados em saúde das famílias brasileiras.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of excess weight and obesity on health spending in Brazilian households. Data from the Household Budget Survey 2008-2009 were used to estimate monetary health spending, corresponding to out-of-pocket spending, including purchase of medicines and payment for healthcare services, and to evaluate the nutritional status of the 55,970 household residents. Monthly spending on health and its components were analyzed according to the number of excess weight and obese individuals in households (none, one, two, or three or more individuals). The presence and increasing number of excess weight and obese individuals has resulted in greater spending on health, especially on medicines and health insurance. The results were maintained after adjusting for income, region, area, and presence of elderly and number of residents in the household. Excess weight and obesity had a direct impact on out-of-pocket health spending by Brazilian families.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la influencia del exceso de peso y obesidad en el gasto en salud en los hogares brasileños. Se utilizaron los datos de la Encuesta de Presupuestos Familiares de 2008-2009 para estimar los gastos en salud, que contiene los gastos con la compra de medicinas y el gasto con los servicios de atención médica privada. También se evaluó el estado nutricional de las personas de los 55.970 hogares. El gasto mensual privado por persona en salud y sus componentes fueron analizados de acuerdo con la cantidad en número de personas con exceso de peso y obesidad en los hogares estratificados en cuatro categorías (ninguna, una, dos y tres o más personas). La presencia y el aumento en el número de individuos con exceso de peso y obesidad en los hogares resultaron en un mayor gasto en salud, especialmente el gasto en medicinas y seguros de salud privados. Estos resultados se mantuvieron después de realizar el ajuste pertinente. El exceso de peso y la obesidad influenciaron positivamente el gasto en salud de las familias brasileñas.

Challenges in hemophilia care in Australia and New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Health and life expectancy for people with hemophilia have improved significantly in recent years, but we face new challenges, especially in the context of resource-constrained health services. AIM: This paper aims to highlight such challenges and propose practical solutions. METHODS: Nine hemophilia specialists from Australia and New Zealand reached consensus on areas of greatest need for improvement in hemophilia care in these countries, based on clinical experience and published data, and agreed on how to address these. RESULTS: Demography, optimizing treatment and assessing treatment success were identified as broad areas of challenge which included: comorbidities in ageing patients; transitioning from pediatric to adult care; equity of care for remote populations; weight-based dosing in obese patients; tailoring prophylaxis; accurate diagnosis of acute joint pain; managing chronic arthropathy; providing psychosocial support; consistency in definitions and assessment; and quantifiable outcome measures. Practice points included increased cross-specialty coordination and including psychologists and rheumatologists as part of comprehensive care teams; close collaboration between pediatric and adult centers to facilitate transition of care; systems such as telehealth that ensure continuity of care for remote populations; using pharmacokinetic data to tailor therapy; rapid and accurate diagnosis of acute joint pain; using data from bleeding registries to assess treatment effects and help with service planning; and ensuring consistency through benchmarking and standardization of HTCs. SUMMARY: Achieving treatment equity, optimal outcomes and cost savings may be possible through investing in national governance structures, expanding the comprehensive model of care and implementing innovative solutions tailored to local needs.

Structural adjustment and public spending on health: evidence from IMF programs in low-income countries.

The relationship between health policy in low-income countries (LICs) and structural adjustment programs devised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been the subject of intense controversy over past decades. While the influence of the IMF on health policy can operate through various pathways, one main link is via public spending on health. The IMF has claimed that its programs enhance government spending for health, and that a number of innovations have been introduced to enable borrowing countries to protect health spending from broader austerity measures. Critics have pointed to adverse effects of Fund programs on health spending or to systematic underfunding that does not allow LICs to address health needs. We examine the effects of Fund programs on government expenditures on health in low-income countries using data for the period 1985-2009. We find that Fund programs are associated with higher health expenditures only in Sub-Saharan African LICs, which historically spent less than any other region. This relationship turns negative in LICs in other regions. We outline the implications of these findings for health policy in a development context.

Gastos da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, com medicamentos: uma análise do período 2002-2011 / Expenditures on medicines by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Brazil, 2002-2011 / Gastos en medicamentos del Departamento de Salud Municipal de Río de Janeiro, Brasil: un análisis del período 2002-2011

O estudo analisou o comportamento histórico das compras de medicamentos da Secretaria Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2002-2011. Utilizaram-se dados financeiros sobre quantidade anual total adquirida e preço unitário. Calcularam-se o gasto anual por habitante e a proporção das despesas com medicamentos frente aos gastos municipais em saúde. Os gastos foram ajustados pelo Índice de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo para compará-los a 2011. Os medicamentos foram classificados, segundo ambiente de predomínio de uso, em hospitalar ou atenção primária e pelas classes do sistema anatômico-terapêutico-químico da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os gastos totais ajustados foram de cerca de R$ 575 milhões, com redução ao longo do intervalo analisado. Medicamentos anti-infecciosos e vinculados aos sistemas cardiovascular e nervoso responderam por 55% dos gastos totais. Houve transição dos gastos com medicamentos do ambiente hospitalar para aqueles de uso predominante na atenção primária em saúde. A análise pode potencializar a gestão e sinaliza para necessidade de correção de rumos na política municipal de medicamentos.

This study analyzed time trends in the purchase of medicines by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Brazil, from 2002 to 2011, analyzing data on total annual amounts and unit prices. Annual expenditure per inhabitant and expenditures on medicines as a proportion of total municipal health spending were calculated. Expenditures were adjusted according to the Expanded Consumer Price Index to compare them to 2011. Medicines were classified according to the predominant place of use (in-hospital or primary care) and the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Adjusted total expenditures totaled some BRL 575 million, with a decline over the period. Antimicrobials and medicines for the cardiovascular and nervous systems accounted for 55% of total expenditures. There was a shift from in-hospital spending on medicines to those used predominantly in primary care. The analysis can contribute to healthcare management and emphasizes the need to reorient the municipality’s policy for medicines.

El estudio analizó los datos de adquisición de medicamentos del Departamento Municipal de Salud de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, entre 2002-2011. Hemos utilizado los datos financieros que contienen información sobre la cantidad total comprada y el precio por unidad. Se calculó el gasto anual per cápita y la proporción porcentual de los costos de medicamentos, frente a los gastos de salud municipal. Los gastos se han ajustado por el Índice de Precio al Consumidor en su concepto Amplio, para compararlos con 2011. Los medicamentos se clasifican de acuerdo con el uso predominante, entorno hospitalario, o de atención primaria en salud y el sistema de la Organización Mundial de la Salud anatómico-terapéutico-químico. Los gastos totales fueron aproximadamente R$ 575 millones, con una reducción de gastos durante el período analizado. Antiinfecciosos y medicamentos para los sistemas cardiovascular y nervioso representaron el 55% del gasto total, con una transición del hospital a la atención farmacéutica, vinculada a la atención primaria de salud. En este análisis el uso de datos sobre el gasto permitido mejora la gestión y dirección para la corrección de la política municipal.