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Executive Summary Methodology Profile of Respondents Plan Design Features Cost Sharing Highlights Pharmacy Reimbursement Highlights Drug Cost Highlights Utilization Management Highlights
 
Utilization Management Tools 
Employers and their pharmacy benefit managers employ a variety of tools to manage drug use.

These tools (listed in Table 42) range from interpersonal interventions (like academic detailing of prescribers or face-to-face pharmacist consults) to claim system edits (like quantity limits and dose optimization).

Claim system edits are often transparent to employers and members. Because there are so many claim system management tools, employers typically underreport the number of tools they use in their drug benefit programs.

This explains why the use of most tools for all diseases is less than the number used for specific disease states. We also hypothesize that employers intervening in specific diseases may be more aware of claim system edits and interventions for managing utilization and drug mix, and report their use accordingly.

Figures 7 to 12 illustrate the mix of tools employers are using for all diseases and for the five specific conditions addressed in the survey.
 


Table 42
: Summary of Utilization Management Tools


Figure 7
: Utilization Management Tools in Plan Design (All Diseases)


Figure 8
: Utilization Management Tools for Asthma


Figure 9
: Utilization Management Tools for Depression


Figure 10
: Utilization Management Tools for Diabetes


Figure 11
: Utilization Management Tools for High Blood Pressure


Figure 12
: Utilization Management Tools for High Cholesterol


Strengthening Prescription Drug Safety

FDA Uses Many Tools to Monitor Drugs

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