Public release date: 20-Feb-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, February 20, 2013Reducing financial barriers to medication accessa strategy known as value-based insurance design (VBID)can improve medication adherence and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. The economic and patient-perceived benefits of eliminating co-payments for diabetes-related medications and supplies are described in a trend-setting study published in Population Health Management, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Population Health Management website at http://www.liebertpub.com/pop.

In "Patient-Centered Outcomes of a Value-Based Insurance Design Program for Patients with Diabetes," Daniel Elliott, MD, MSCE and coauthors from Christiana Care Health System (Newark, DE), Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA), and Temple University School of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA) compared patient self-reports from before and one year after the start of a VBID program that eliminated insurance co-payments for diabetes-related medications and supplies. As a group, the patients reported improved adherence to medication regimens for hyperglycemic control and a significant decrease in out-of-pocket costs associated with non-adherence.

Nearly 90% of the study participants felt that the elimination of co-payments helped them better self-manage their diabetes.

"Improving care coordination is a cornerstone of health reform. That's why this is a watershed paper," says Editor-in-Chief David B. Nash, MD, MBA, Dean and Dr. Raymond C. and Doris N. Grandon Professor, Jefferson School of Population Health, Philadelphia, PA.

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About the Journal

Population Health Management is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online that reflects the expanding scope of health care management and quality. The Journal delivers a comprehensive, integrated approach to the field of population health and provides information designed to improve the systems and policies that affect health care quality, access, and outcomes. Comprised of peer-reviewed original research papers, clinical research, and case studies, the content encompasses a broad range of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic pain, diabetes, depression, and obesity) in addition to focusing on various aspects of prevention and wellness. Tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Population Health Management website at http://www.liebertpub.com/pop. Population Health Management is the Official Journal of the Care Continuum Alliance.

About the Publisher

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Can insurers save money by providing free diabetes-related medications and supplies?

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