Communication of Medication Nonmedical Switching Policies and Procedures by Insurance Companies: Results of an E-Survey.

We report weighted percent responses categorized from 5- or 7-point Likert scale questions. FINDINGS: E-mail invitations were sent to 13,117 randomly sampled physicians, and 1818 opened the e-mail and followed the embedded survey link to participate. Of these, 1010 total physicians (55.5%), 606 primary care and 404 specialists, who treated patients experiencing nonmedical switching in the prior 12 months completed the survey. A few physicians were notified about nonmedical switches by insurers; more frequently physicians learned about them from pharmacies serving their patients. Notification frequently occurred at or after a refill came due. Notification via electronic medical record or insurer letter was less frequent. Few thought that insurers clearly communicated information about alternative medications when a nonmedical switch was required, and most disagreed that insurers provided clear procedures, timelines, and methods to track challenges. Nearly all agreed that insurers should provide supporting documentation or rationale for nonmedical switches and specifics on alternatives. Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that steps to improve communication and physicians' and patients' ability to navigate nonmedical switches or challenge procedures should be implemented. IMPLICATIONS: This survey of primary care and speciality physicians suggests that physicians believe that insurers' current level of communication regarding nonmedical switching is suboptimal. Re...
Source: Clinical Therapeutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Clin Ther Source Type: research