Drug Costs in Medicare Dollars and Cost-Related Nonadherence

摘要

The costs of prescription drugs continue to increase in the United States. Medicare prescription drug coverage-Medicare Part D, the major source of payment for prescription drugs for people aged 65 years and older-remains complex and dynamic.1'2 The estimated expenditure for Medicare Part D, made by the Congressional Budget Office, is expected to total $99 billion in 2019, accounting for 15% of net Medicare outlays.3 Overall, Medicare's share of retail prescription-drug spending has increased from 18% in 2006 to 30% in 2017.4 As a major payer for retail prescription drugs, Medicare is second only to private insurance.