Medicare Part D Research Highlights and Policy Updates, 2013: Impact and Insights

Research continues to suggest that Part D is effective in increasing medication utilization and lowering OOP costs. Further work is needed to clarify the effects of Part D on nondrug health care service utilization and health outcomes. Policy changes for 2013 addressed specific improvements in the Medicare Part D benefit while potentially generating cost-savings for Medicare and Medicaid. Future challenges include alleviating access burden to medications during the phase-out of the coverage gap, minimizing disparities among Part D beneficiaries, and coordinating the Part D benefit with Medicare parts A and B via Medicare Accountable Care Organizations. A more integrated and coordinated Medicare benefit among all of its components would benefit overall health outcomes and increase cost-savings.