Table 7
Summary of Effects of State Medicaid Cost-Control Methods on Beneficiaries’ Access to Prescription Drugs1


  Percent not getting prescription drug due to cost2
State Has Implemented 0 or 1 Method 15
State Has Implemented 2 or 3 Methods 25**
State Has Implemented 4 or 5 Methods 33*

1 These methods include copayments, limits on the number of prescriptions, mandatory substitution of generics for brand-name drugs, preauthorization requirements, and step-therapy requirements.

2 Estimates reflected regression-adjusted means, computed based on the coefficients from the regression model (see Appendix Table 3) and variable means for the sample of persons age 18-64 enrolled in Medicaid or other state coverage.

* Difference with persons in states that implemented 0 or 1 requirement is statistically significant at .05 level.

** Difference with persons in states that implemented 0 or 1 requirement is statistically significant at .10 level.

Note: Sample includes persons ages 18-64 enrolled in Medicaid or state coverage programs.

Source: Community Tracking Study Household Survey, 2000-01