Does prescription drug coverage improve mental health? Evidence from Medicare Part D

The introduction of the Medicare Prescription Drug program (Part D) in 2006 resulted in a significant increase in access to coverage for older adults in the U.S. Several studies have documented the impact of this program on prescription drug utilization, expenditures and medication adherence among o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health economics 2015-05, Vol.41, p.46-58
Main Authors: Ayyagari, Padmaja, Shane, Dan M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesion
Aged
Antidepressants
CESD score
Depression - drug therapy
Difference-in-difference
Drugs
Economics
Expenditures
Female
Health
Health administration
Health care access
Heterogeneity
Humans
Insurance Coverage
Male
Medicare
Medicare Part D
Mental Health
Middle Aged
Models, Statistical
Old people
Older people
Prescription drug coverage
Prescription drugs
Studies
United States
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Summary:The introduction of the Medicare Prescription Drug program (Part D) in 2006 resulted in a significant increase in access to coverage for older adults in the U.S. Several studies have documented the impact of this program on prescription drug utilization, expenditures and medication adherence among older adults. However, few studies have evaluated the extent to which these changes have affected the health of seniors. In this study we use data from the Health and Retirement Study to identify the impact of the Medicare Part D program on mental health. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we find that the program significantly reduced depressive symptoms among older adults. We explore the mechanisms through which this effect operates and evaluate heterogeneity in impact.
ISSN:0167-6296
1879-1646
DOI:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2015.01.006