A Claims Data Analysis of Patient Acquisition

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of claims for inhaled beta2-agonist and anti-inflammatory agents and the adequacy of acquisition represented by claims in a population of patients with asthma receiving health services in managed care organizations. DESIGN: A retrospective, observational study using medical and pharmacy claims from an automated database. SETTING: Five affiliated IPA-model health plans located in four geographic regions of the United States with total annual approximate enrollment of 870,000 members. PATIENTS: 27,834 asthmatics of either sex and less than 64 years of age with asthma claims from July 1, 1993-June 30, 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of claims for inhaled beta 2-agonist and anti-inflammatory agents was used to determine patterns of drug acquisition. Number of canisters and days supply for each claim were used to determine level of acquisition from linked claims histories. Three categories of acquisition level were defined: less than 150 days (1-3 claims) in 12 months=...