Volume 53 | Number 6 | December 2018

Abstract List

Jeah Jung Ph.D., Roger Feldman Ph.D.


Objectives

To examine variation in risk‐adjusted reinsurance payments across Part D plans, analyze its implications for the program, and explore options to reduce reinsurance payments.


Data/Study Design

2007–2015 Part D Plan Payment and Premium data; 2010–2013 Part D Prescription Drug Event data; and 2013 Part D Plan Formulary Files.


Principal Findings

Risk‐adjusted reinsurance payments varied widely across plans at a given out‐of‐pocket (OOP) premium. The variance in risk‐adjusted reinsurance in common OOP premium ranges increased between 2010 and 2015. High risk‐adjusted reinsurance payments were negatively correlated with use of utilization management tools for high‐cost drugs.


Conclusions

Growing reinsurance payments shrink plans’ liability for managing drug spending for high‐cost enrollees, creating plan moral hazard, and making OOP premiums a noisy signal of plans’ total costs.