Objective: We sought to evaluate several statistical modeling approaches in predicting prospective total annual health costs (medical plus pharmacy) of health plan participants using Pharmacy Health Dimensions (PHD), a pharmacy claims-based risk index.
Methods: We undertook a 2-year (baseline year/follow-up year) longitudinal analysis of integrated medical and pharmacy claims. Included were plan participants younger than 65 years of age with continuous medical and pharmacy coverage (n = 344,832).
Background: Persistency with drug therapy reflects a number of factors, including patient tolerability of adverse events resulting from therapy and clinician satisfaction with the medication's effectiveness in reducing intraocular pressure.
Objective: This study assesses persistency with topical glaucoma medications administered as initial therapy by evaluating rates of discontinuation and change in therapy.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using pharmacy claims data from 3 geographically diverse healthcare plans.