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Did Medicare Part D reduce mortality?

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  • Huh, Jason
  • Reif, Julian

Abstract

We investigate the implementation of Medicare Part D and estimate that this prescription drug benefit program reduced elderly mortality by 2.2% annually. This was driven primarily by a reduction in cardiovascular mortality, the leading cause of death for the elderly. There was no effect on deaths due to cancer, a condition whose drug treatments are covered under Medicare Part B. We validate these results by demonstrating that the changes in drug utilization following the implementation of Medicare Part D match the mortality patterns we observe. We calculate that the value of the mortality reduction is equal to $5 billion per year.

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  • Huh, Jason & Reif, Julian, 2017. "Did Medicare Part D reduce mortality?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 17-37.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:53:y:2017:i:c:p:17-37
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2017.01.005
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