BACKGROUND: Most insurers in the US have implemented incentive-based formularies that rely on out-of-pocket costs to influence prescription drug utilization. Medicare Part D plans have broadly adopted such benefit designs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physicians' perceptions of their knowledge of formularies and out-of-pocket costs, factors that influence knowledge of costs, physicians' perceived responsibility for helping patients manage their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, and physicians' perceptions of the role of pharmacists in managing these costs. METHODS: A multiple-choice survey was mailed to a random sample of 1200 physician members of the California Medical Association; a phone survey of nonresponders was then conducted. RESULTS: Of 1027 surveys delivered to correct addresses, 509 (49.6%) responses were received. Thirty-three percent of physicians reported that they were usually or always aware of patients' formularies and 20% were usually or always aware of patients' out-of-pocket costs for medications. Surgeons, emergency department physicians, and physicians that prescribe from more formularies than other physicians are less likely to be aware of patients' out-of-pocket costs, while physicians in large practices and those who use computers to prescribe are more aware. While 91% of physicians agreed that it is important that patients' out-of-pocket costs be managed, 40% somewhat or strongly agreed that it is their responsibility to help. Sixty-five percent of physicians believed that it is the responsibility of the pharmacist to be familiar with patients' out-of-pocket costs. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians often lack the knowledge to assist patients in the management of their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and they depend on pharmacists to help patients manage those costs. Computer order entry and resources available in large physician organizations improve physicians' awareness of out-of-pocket costs when prescribing.
BACKGROUND: Most insurers in the US have implemented incentive-based formularies that rely on out-of-pocket costs to influence prescription drug utilization. Medicare Part D plans have broadly adopted such benefit designs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate physicians' perceptions of their knowledge of formularies and out-of-pocket costs, factors that influence knowledge of costs, physicians' perceived responsibility for helping patients manage their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, and physicians' perceptions of the role of pharmacists in managing these costs. METHODS: A multiple-choice survey was mailed to a random sample of 1200 physician members of the California Medical Association; a phone survey of nonresponders was then conducted. RESULTS: Of 1027 surveys delivered to correct addresses, 509 (49.6%) responses were received. Thirty-three percent of physicians reported that they were usually or always aware of patients' formularies and 20% were usually or always aware of patients' out-of-pocket costs for medications. Surgeons, emergency department physicians, and physicians that prescribe from more formularies than other physicians are less likely to be aware of patients' out-of-pocket costs, while physicians in large practices and those who use computers to prescribe are more aware. While 91% of physicians agreed that it is important that patients' out-of-pocket costs be managed, 40% somewhat or strongly agreed that it is their responsibility to help. Sixty-five percent of physicians believed that it is the responsibility of the pharmacist to be familiar with patients' out-of-pocket costs. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians often lack the knowledge to assist patients in the management of their out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and they depend on pharmacists to help patients manage those costs. Computer order entry and resources available in large physician organizations improve physicians' awareness of out-of-pocket costs when prescribing.
Authors: Helene L Lipton; Cindy J Lai; Timothy W Cutler; Amanda R Smith; Marilyn R Stebbins Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2010-08-10 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Jennifer M Polinski; Sebastian Schneeweiss; Malcolm Maclure; Blair Marshall; Samuel Ramsden; Colin Dormuth Journal: Clin Ther Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 3.393
Authors: Mark A Graber; Bradley D Randles; Jay Monahan; John W Ely; Charles Jennissen; Bobby Peters; Dean Anderson Journal: Emerg Med J Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 2.740
Authors: Marilyn R Stebbins; Timothy W Cutler; Robin L Corelli; Amanda R Smith; Helene L Lipton Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2009-05-27 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Julie A Schmittdiel; Neil Steers; O Kenrik Duru; Susan L Ettner; Arleen F Brown; Vicki Fung; John Hsu; Elaine Quiter; Chien-Wen Tseng; Carol M Mangione Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2010-06-14 Impact factor: 2.655