Use of antihypertensive drugs by Medicare enrollees: does type of drug coverage matter?

Research has demonstrated that Medicare beneficiaries with drug coverage consume more clinically essential drugs. However, generosity of coverage varies considerably across beneficiaries. This study examines the association between types of drug coverage and the consumption and cost per tablet of essential antihypertensive medications among beneficiaries with hypertension. The findings indicate that while both state- and employer-sponsored drug coverage are associated with greater consumption of antihypertensive drugs and lower out-of-pocket costs per tablet, private supplemental coverage is not associated with greater use and is associated with only slightly lower out-of-pocket costs than among noncovered beneficiaries.