Reduced medical spending associated with integrated pharmacy benefits.

Objectives: Although pharmacy benefit carve-outs are promoted as a cost-containment tool, their impact on medical spending is not well understood. We compare the health care spending of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA) members covered by an integrated ("carved-in") pharmacy benefit with that of members covered under a pharmacy benefit carve-out.

Study Design: Matched, longitudinal cohort study.