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Utilization and costs of medications associated with CKD mineral and bone disorder in dialysis patients enrolled in Medicare Part D.

ABSTRACT: Information is limited regarding utilization patterns and costs for chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) medications in Medicare Part D-enrolled dialysis patients.Retrospective cohort study.Annual cohorts of dialysis patients, 2007-2010.Cohort year, low-income subsidy status, and dialysis provider.Utilization and costs of prescription phosphate binders, oral and intravenous vitamin D analogues, and cinacalcet.Using logistic regression, we calculated adjusted odds of medication use for low-income subsidy versus non-low-income subsidy patients and for patients from various dialysis organizations, and we report per-member-per-month and average out-of-pocket costs.Phosphate binders (?83%) and intravenous vitamin D (77.5%-79.3%) were the most commonly used CKD-MBD medications in 2007 through 2010. The adjusted odds of prescription phosphate-binder, intravenous vitamin D, and cinacalcet use were significantly higher for low-income subsidy than for non-low-income subsidy patients. Total Part D versus CKD-MBD Part D medication costs increased 22% versus 36% from 2007 to 2010. For Part D-enrolled dialysis patients, CKD-MBD medications represented ?50% of overall net Part D costs in 2010.Inability to describe utilization and costs of calcium carbonate, an over-the-counter agent not covered under Medicare Part D; inability to reliably identify prescriptions filled through a non-Part D reimbursement or payment mechanism; findings may not apply to dialysis patients without Medicare Part D benefits or with Medicare Advantage plans, or to pediatric dialysis patients; could identify only prescription drugs dispensed in the outpatient setting; inability to adjust for MBD laboratory values.Part D net costs for CKD-MBD medications increased at a faster rate than costs for all Part D medications in dialysis patients despite relatively stable use within medication classes. In a bundled environment, there may be incentives to shift to generic phosphate binders and reduce cinacalcet use.

SUBMITTER: Yusuf AA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4209315 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Utilization and costs of medications associated with CKD mineral and bone disorder in dialysis patients enrolled in Medicare Part D.

Yusuf Akeem A AA Howell Benjamin L BL Powers Christopher A CA St Peter Wendy L WL

American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation 20140513 5

<h4>Background</h4>Information is limited regarding utilization patterns and costs for chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) medications in Medicare Part D-enrolled dialysis patients.<h4>Study design</h4>Retrospective cohort study.<h4>Setting & participants</h4>Annual cohorts of dialysis patients, 2007-2010.<h4>Predictors</h4>Cohort year, low-income subsidy status, and dialysis provider.<h4>Outcomes</h4>Utilization and costs of prescription phosphate binders, oral and intrav ...[more]

PMID: 24833203

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Project description:BackgroundCoronary stenting in patients on dialysis has increased by nearly 50% over the past decade, despite heightened risks of associated stent thrombosis and bleeding relative to the general population. We examined clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticlopidine use after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting in patients on dialysis. We conducted 3-, 6-, and 12-month landmark analyses to test the hypothesis that thienopyridine discontinuation prior to those time points would be associated with higher risks of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization, and a lower risk of major bleeding episodes compared with continued thienopyridine use.Methods and resultsUsing the US Renal Data System, we identified 8458 patients on dialysis with Medicare Parts A+B+D undergoing PCI with stenting between July 2007 and December 2010. Ninety-nine percent of all thienopyridine prescriptions were for clopidogrel. At 3 months, 82% of patients who received drug-eluting stents (DES) had evidence of thienopyridine use. These proportions fell to 62% and 40% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. In patients who received a bare-metal stent (BMS), 70%, 34%, and 26% of patients had evidence of thienopyridine use at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. In patients who received a DES, there was a suggestion of higher risks of death or myocardial infarction associated with thienopyridine discontinuation in the 3-, 6-, and 12-months landmark analyses, but no higher risk of major bleeding episodes. In patients who received a BMS, there were no differences in death or cardiovascular events, and possibly lower risk of major bleeding with thienopyridine discontinuation in the 3- and 6-month landmark analyses.ConclusionsThe majority of patients on dialysis who undergo PCI discontinue thienopyridines before 1 year regardless of stent type. While not definitive, these data suggest that longer-term thienopyridine use may be of benefit to patients on dialysis who undergo PCI with DES.

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Utilization and costs of medications associated with CKD mineral and bone disorder in dialysis patients enrolled in Medicare Part D.

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Utilization and costs of medications associated with CKD mineral and bone disorder in dialysis patients enrolled in Medicare Part D.

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