Medicare Letters To Curb Overprescribing Of Controlled Substances Had No Detectable Effect On Providers
Author(s)
Sacarny, A.; Yokum, D.; Agrawal, S.; Finkelstein, Amy
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Inappropriate prescribing is a rising threat to the health of Medicare beneficiaries and a drain on Medicare’s finances. In this study we used a randomized controlled trial approach to evaluate a low-cost, light-touch intervention aimed at reducing the inappropriate provision of Schedule II controlled substances in the Medicare Part D program. Potential overprescribers were sent a letter explaining that their practice patterns were highly unlike those of their peers. Using rich administrative data, we were unable to detect an effect of these letters on prescribing. We describe ongoing efforts to build on this null result with alternative interventions. Learning about the potential of light-touch interventions, both effective and ineffective, will help produce a better toolkit for policy makers to improve the value and safety of health care.
Date issued
2016-03Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Economics; Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)Journal
Health Affairs
Publisher
Project Hope
Citation
Sacarny, A. et al. “Medicare Letters To Curb Overprescribing Of Controlled Substances Had No Detectable Effect On Providers.” Health Affairs 35.3 (2016): 471–479.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
0278-2715
1544-5208