Medication patterns for Medicare beneficiaries with SNF/LTC facility stays

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Gerontology
• Pharmaceutical Policy

Background:

• Medicare Part D provides prescription drug benefits to beneficiaries in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
• Part D coverage does not affect Medicare Part A coverage for drugs during skilled nursing facility (SNF) stays.
• Understanding medication use differences between SNF stays and other LTC settings is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in drug utilization patterns for beneficiaries transitioning between SNF and other LTC facility stays.
• To determine if prescription drug coverage influences medication utilization in LTC settings.

Main Methods:

• Regression analysis of Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data from 2001.
• Comparison of medication administrations during SNF months versus other LTC facility months.

Main Results:

• Beneficiaries received 7-30% fewer medication administrations during SNF months compared to other LTC facility months (p < 0.01).
• Prescription drug coverage did not significantly influence medication utilization patterns during non-Medicare-qualified LTC facility stays.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences exist in medication administration frequency between SNF stays and other LTC settings.
• Medicare Part D prescription coverage does not appear to alter medication use during non-SNF LTC stays.