On April 18, 2018, The American Journal of Managed Care’s Managed Care Cast interviewed Dr. A. Mark Fendrick in a segment called Examining Consumer Cost Sharing and a Precision Benefit Design With Dr Mark Fendrick.
This podcast episode discussed a recently published paper, Cost Sharing and Branded Antidepressant Initiation Among Patients Treated With Generics, that examines the effects of increased cost sharing on the decision of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) to fill prescriptions for second-line, branded antidepressants after already having tried first-line therapies. The finding that increased cost sharing for branded, second-line therapies was associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of filling a prescription supports a dynamic, precision benefit design model in which cost sharing is lowered for higher-tier evidence-based therapies when clinically indicated. This proposed benefit design lowers consumer cost sharing for those who diligently follow the required steps for their condition, but who may require an alternative, second-line option. This personalized approach to clinical medicine has vast potential to improve quality of care, enhance the patient experience, and allow more efficient health care expenditures.
By reducing cost-related barriers, [precision] benefit designs could enhance access to effective therapies that increase the likelihood of achieving the patient-centered outcomes that matter most to those with MDD: better functioning at home and at work, improved quality of life, and higher levels of overall well-being.
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To learn more about precision benefit design, see our resources below.
AJMC Cost Sharing Podcast AJMC Cost Sharing Article Precision Medicine Initiative Page
Precision Medicine Infographic Precison Medicine One-Pager Precision Medicine Whiteboard Video
