Decreasing Use of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Agonists in the United States is Independent of Reimbursement Changes: A Medicare and Veterans Health Administration Claims Analysis

Use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists has decreased in the Medicare and Veterans Health Administration populations since 2004 without a compensatory increase in the use of alternative forms of androgen deprivation therapy. The shift in practice patterns is likely due to a decrease in Medicare reimbursement for these drugs, an increase in the use of intermittent therapy and increased recognition of the adverse effects associated with androgen deprivation therapy.