A New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) study examined numerous Medicare plans between 2001 and 2006, finding that those that increased seniors’ copayments for ambulatory care had reduced outpatient utilization, increased inpatient utilization, and increased hospital admissions.  The authors conclude that raising cost-sharing for ambulatory services may adversely affect patient care and increase total spending as utilization of more cost services increases.

Trivedi, A.N., Moloo, H., et al. (2010). Increased ambulatory care copayments and hospitalizations among the elderly. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(4): 320-28.

*Note: The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) policies preclude us from providing an article abstract or linking to the NEJM website; however, this abstract is available via the NEJM website. 

Authors: Amal N. Trivedi, Husein Moloo, and Vincent Mor