ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INABILITY TO OBTAIN NECESSARY PRESCRIPTION MEDICAL CARE AND FUTURE HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURES IN THE MEDICAL EXPENDITURE PANEL SURVEY (2007-2017)

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2020

Authors

Rasu, Rafia
Karpes Matusevich, Aliza

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Objectives: Assess the association between the inability to obtain prescription medications and future medical expenditure. Methods: We included participants older than 65yrs from the 2007-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey longitudinal data files. Expenditures were updated to 2017 values using the Personal Consumption Expenditures index. We compared those who did and did not report being unable to get necessary prescription medication in terms of demographics and total logged healthcare expenditure the following year using chi-square and t-tests and linear regression. Results: Our cohort (n=19,566) was predominantly female (57.1%), white (71.3%) and non-Hispanic (85.6%) with a mean age of 73.9 (SD:6.6) and 2.8 comorbidities(SD: 2.1). 360(1.8%) people were unable to obtain prescription medication. In both years of the survey this group had significantly higher adjusted prescription medication (Y1: $4,407 (SD:6,195) vs. $2.688 (SD:5,220) Y2: $4,824 (SD:6,729) vs. $2,915 (SD:5,724)) and healthcare expenditure (Y1: $14,595 (SD:17,970) vs. $10,558 (SD:18,793) Y2: $15,885 (SD:18,334) vs. $11,574 (SD:19,465)). However, being unable to get necessary medications was not significantly associated with total health care costs in the second year of the survey when controlling for baseline covariates and first year healthcare costs. Age, race, ethnicity, education level, perceived health status, number of comorbidities and being uninsured in the second year were correlated. Conclusion: The study points to socioeconomic drivers of healthcare expenditure. It is encouraging that < 2% of older adults report being unable to obtain prescription medication and future research will assess if medication adherence is related to categories of future expenditure.

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