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What You Need to Know About Non-Medical Switching Now imagine after many months or even years , the patient and doctor have found the correct medication regimen . The patient has improved their quality of life and eased the fears that come with chronic illness . Along comes the patient ’ s insurance company , telling the patient that their medications are no longer covered by their plan . Now the patient and doctor must start over to find new medications that may not be as effective not because their medicines are not working but because of cost . Patients reported a slew of consequences , from an impact on their health to increased health care utilization .
ALMOST 60% EXPERIENCED A COMPLICATION FROM THE NEW MEDICATION
NEARLY 40 % OF PATIENTS SAID THE NEW MEDICINE WAS NOT AS EFFECTIVE
NEARLY 1 IN 10 REPORTED BEING HOSPITALIZED FOR COMPLICATIONS AFTER THE SWITCH
<60%
In a survey with 350 physicians , they reported they felt non - medical switching , to some degree :
Increased side - effects ( 54 . 0 %)
Increased medication errors ( 56 . 0 %)
Increased patients ’ out - of - pocket costs (~ 50 %)
Increased medication abandonment ( 60 . 3 %)
Changes to longstanding drug regimens for patients require more doctors ' appointments and lab testing to get the disease symptoms stabilized again . Often , the patient needs to use the services of an emergency room and a hospitalization to get symptoms under control . The newly prescribed medications forced upon the patient and doctor can have new side effects and medical complications . Chronic illness is by definition long - lasting and should be managed by the patient and doctor . When insurance companies cross that boundary and insert themselves into the middle of that relationship , there are steps the patient can take to protect themselves . It is important to find a doctor that is always easily accessible to communicate with .
LINK TO EXTENDED BLOG
https://instituteforpatientaccess.org/study-non-medical-switching-reduces-quality-of-life-for-patients/ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20016689.2020.1829883
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