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Medicare Part D

Since 2006, Medicare Part D has provided prescription drug coverage through Medicare, a federally sponsored health care program. RAND has conducted research to assess the impact of Medicare Part D, gauge the effect of enrollment levels, and examine how the program has influenced innovation.

Journal Article
Part D Senior Savings Model: Model Reach and Scope
This report describes the reach and scope of Medicare's Part D Senior Savings model, which has lower, fixed cost sharing for a specified set of model drugs.
Nov 9, 2022
Journal Article
Association Between Hospital-Physician Vertical Integration and Medication Adherence Rates
Increases in vertical integration were not associated with changes in medication adherence rates. However, adherence rates after vertical integration declined for non-Whites, patients over 80 years old, and patients with greater comorbidities.
Oct 28, 2022
Report
RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, February 7, 2022 Meeting
On February 7, 2022, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel web meeting to gather input about the potential development of a measure to capture value-based care arrangements Medicare Advantage organizations have with their contracted providers.
Jun 17, 2022
Report
RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, May 5, 2021 Meeting
The RAND team gathered input from experts about stratified reporting by Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) and dual eligibility (DE), and disability and assessing social risk factors of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D contract beneficiaries.
Aug 5, 2021
Journal Article
Variation in Generic Dispensing Rates in Medicare Part D
Although generic use has increased markedly over time in Part D, substantial variation across plans persists in a number of common therapeutic classes.
Jun 30, 2021
Report
RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, November 12, 2020 Meeting
On November 12, 2020, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input about social risk factors and approaches for ensuring accurate performance measurement.
Mar 16, 2021
Report
RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, November 19, 2020 Meeting
On November 19, 2020, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input about stratified reporting of performance and approaches to reduce disparities in Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contracts.
Mar 16, 2021
Report
RAND Technical Expert Panel Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings, July 22, 2020 Meeting
On July 22, 2020, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.
Dec 23, 2020
Journal Article
How Increasing Medical Access to Opioids Contributes to the Opioid Epidemic: Evidence from Medicare Part D
The national growth in opioid supply explains 75% of the national rise in opioid treatment admissions and the diversion component is a critical driver of the opioid epidemic.
Jun 26, 2020
Journal Article
Association of Medicare Part D Benzodiazepine Coverage Expansion With Changes in Fall-Related Injuries and Overdoses Among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
This study found an increase in the rate of overdose after Medicare Part D coverage began to include benzodiazepines among adults aged 65 to 69 years and 80 years or older and an increase in the rate of fall-related injury in adults 80 years or older.
May 5, 2020
Report
RAND Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings Technical Expert Panel November 7th, 2019 Meeting
On November 7, 2019, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.
Feb 7, 2020
Report
RAND Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings Technical Expert Panel April 30, 2019 Meeting
On April 30, 2019, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.
Sep 6, 2019
Report
RAND Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings Technical Expert Panel October 30th 2018 Meeting
On October 30, 2018, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) web meeting to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.
Jan 18, 2019
Report
RAND Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings Technical Expert Panel May 31st 2018 Meeting
On May 31, 2018, the RAND Corporation convened a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to gather input on analyses that could be conducted to further enhance the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Contract Star Ratings program.
Aug 23, 2018
Journal Article
Impact of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) on Opioid Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries in 10 U.S. States
Implementation of a prescription drug monitoring program in 10 states was associated with a reduction in overall volume of opioid drugs prescribed.
Jun 14, 2017
Journal Article
Lessons Learned from an Integrated MTM Program
A community health center in western Massachusetts offers a model of integrated care, in which pharmacists play key roles in decision making and charting.
May 11, 2017
Commentary
Easing the Pain When Critical Medications Are No Longer Covered
Allowing insurance companies to limit the drugs they cover is necessary to give them leverage that can result in lower medication costs for all patients. Still, there are ways to make the process more transparent and manageable.
Oct 28, 2016
Journal Article
Medicare Prescription Plan Enrollees' Experiences Compared to Their Medicare Advantage Counterparts
Medicare enrollees with standalone prescription coverage reported less positive experience with their plans than their counterparts in Medicare Advantage plans.
Mar 14, 2016
Blog
Small Ideas for Saving Big Health Care Dollars (No. 4-7)
Focusing on smaller, more focused approaches can identify less controversial opportunities for modest health care savings.
Jan 15, 2014
Commentary
An Inexpensive Prescription for Medicare
If Congress wants to save Medicare, it can start by driving waste and excess out of the system. This can be done without impoverishing patients or driving doctors out of business, if physicians are willing to practice smarter, more efficient medicine. Spending on prescription drugs is a case in point.
Nov 18, 2013

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RAND Health Care

Researcher Spotlight

Preethi Rao

Health Economist

Preethi Rao (she/her) is a health economist at the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on topics related to health policy. In particular, she is interested in policy issues related to the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug costs, access to health care, and quality measurement in health…
Erin Audrey Taylor

Senior Policy Researcher

Erin Taylor (she/her) is a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. Her research addresses a broad range of health care insurance, prescription drug, and care quality issues, including the impact of insurance benefit design on use of opioids and specialty drugs. Taylor is currently…

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