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Hypertension medication nonadherence high among many Medicare Part D beneficiaries
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More than one-quarter of Medicare Part D beneficiaries are nonadherent to their antihypertensive medication regimen, according to a study conducted by the CDC.
“Medication nonadherence, or not following a health care professional’s instructions concerning taking prescribed antihypertensives, is a leading reason for poor [BP] control among persons treated for hypertension, a strong risk factor for adverse [CVDs] outcomes and a cause of excessive health care costs,” CDC epidemiologist Matthew Ritchey, DPT, PT, OCS, MPH, and colleagues wrote in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Researchers collected data from drug claims of Medicare Advantage or Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. Nonadherence was defined as a proportion of days a beneficiary was covered for antihypertensives of less than 80%.
Overall, 26.3% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries using antihypertensives were nonadherent to their medication. Adherence varied for multiple factors, including:
- medication class (range, 16.9% for angiotensin II receptor blockers to 28.9% for diuretics);
- race/ethnicity (24.3% for non-Hispanic whites, 26.3% for Asian/Pacific Islanders, 33.8% for Hispanics, 35.7% for blacks, and 38.8% for American Indians/Alaska Natives); and
- state of residence (range, 18.7% for North Dakota to 33.7% for the District of Columbia).
The highest nonadherence was reported in the southern United States (28.9%) compared with the West (26.7%), Northeast (24.1%) and Midwest (22.8%). There was considerable variation in nonadherence at the county level.
“Although recognized as challenging, improving adherence to antihypertensives is an effective way to improve [BP] control and reduce [CV] events in this population, which is already at high risk for having [CVD],” the researchers wrote. “This study identified multiple groups at increased risk for nonadherence and potentially modifiable risk factors. Strategies to improve adherence range from individual patient engagement and intervention to systematic health system changes, and coordinated approaches are important to improving adherence and the [CV] health of this population.” – by Cassie Homer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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