Researchers compared the number of high-risk medications MA and FFS beneficiaries received in 2013 through 2018. High-risk medications are defined as drugs that could be risky for the Medicare population because of age-related pharmacodynamics and chronic illness burden, according to the study.
In 2018, out of 1,000 MA members, 41.5 were prescribed high-risk medications, compared to 56.9 FFS beneficiaries.
Rates of high-risk medication use may be lower in MA members because the program uses more aggressive utilization management strategies, and is incentivized to meet CMS’ star ratings standards, the researchers wrote.
The study documented higher rates of high-risk medication use among female, American Indian or Alaskan Native and white populations compared to other groups.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston University School of Public Health, all based in Boston.
Read the full study here.
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