Evaluation of Atypical Antipsychotic Medication Assistance Programs
Percentage Approved Applications per Atypical Antipsychotic \ # Rxs/Approved Application \ Total Cost Savings per Atypical Antipsychotic
Objective
- To determine the effectiveness of atypical antipsychotic (olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone) PAPs
- To contrast their acceptance percentage, approval period and total cost savings incurred.
Methods
- N=320 indigent patients receiving an atypical antipsychotics
- Multi-center study (12 different sites) throughout Alameda Co., California
- 1 year evaluation period (7/1/2000 – 6/30/2001)
Results
Antipsychotic |
Approval Rate |
Total Rxs |
Mean Rxs/app |
Total Savings |
| Olanzapine |
65% |
614 |
5.8 |
$ 157,798 |
| Quetiapine |
61% |
61 |
2.4 |
$ 13,237 |
| Risperidone |
54% |
176 |
2.8 |
$ 30,096 |
Evaluation
- Favorable program characteristics:
- provider eligibility determination
- bulk medication shipment
- long (6-9 month) program eligibility period
- email interface
- 65% of study patients achieved MediCaid (MediCal) eligibility at 12 months,
- Olanzapine program resulted in the greatest success as measured by:
- approval rate, total prescriptions,
- mean prescriptions per application and
- total cost savings.
Conclusions
- None of the programs ideal for use by County system
- Programs need to streamline application process, provide bulk meds, and have longer eligibility periods
BHCS MIA 2001: Percentage Approved Applications per Atypical Antipsychotic 
BHCS MIA 2001: # Rxs/Approved Application
BHCS MIA 2001:
Total Cost Savings per Atypical Antipsychotic
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Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services
2000 Embarcadero Cove, Suite 400, Oakland, CA 94606