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Does cost sharing really reduce inappropriate prescriptions?

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  • Costa-i-Font, Joan
  • Gemmill-Toyama, Marin

Abstract

This paper explores different empirical strategies to examine the effect of cost sharing for prescription drugs in some dimensions of medication-related quality, namely the probability of inappropriate prescription drug use among United States seniors. Using data from 1996 to 2005, we explore various specifications that correct for sample selection, endogeneity¸ and unobserved heterogeneity. We find a small, but measurable, negative price elasticity for inappropriate drug use with respect to self-reported average out-of-pocket costs for all drugs consumed. That is, user fees reduce the use of potentially inappropriate medications, however the elasticity of cost sharing is lower than that of drugs in general and the price elasticity is relatively close to zero, suggesting that any quality improvements from co-payments are small.

Suggested Citation

  • Costa-i-Font, Joan & Gemmill-Toyama, Marin, 2010. "Does cost sharing really reduce inappropriate prescriptions?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 27752, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:27752
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/27752/
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    1. Li, Xin & Guh, Daphne & Lacaille, Diane & Esdaile, John & Anis, Aslam H., 2007. "The impact of cost sharing of prescription drug expenditures on health care utilization by the elderly: Own- and cross-price elasticities," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(3), pages 340-347, August.
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    7. Wong, M.D. & Andersen, R. & Sherbourne, C.D. & Hays, R.D. & Shapiro, M.F., 2001. "Effects of cost sharing on care seeking and health status: Results from the Medical Outcomes Study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(11), pages 1889-1894.
    8. Joseph P. Newhouse, 1992. "Medical Care Costs: How Much Welfare Loss?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 3-21, Summer.
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    Cited by:

    1. Raúl Del Pozo-Rubio & Isabel Pardo-García & Francisco Escribano-Sotos, 2020. "Financial Catastrophism Inherent with Out-of-Pocket Payments in Long Term Care for Households: A Latent Impoverishment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. SeungHoon Han & Hosung Sohn, 2023. "The short-term effects of fixed copayment policy on elderly health spending and service utilization: evidence from South Korea’s age-based policy using exact date of birth," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 255-279, June.

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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