Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control: Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs for Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Services for Patients with High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

Reducing out-of-pocket costs (ROPC) for patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol involves program and policy changes that make cardiovascular disease preventive services more affordable. These services include medications, behavioral counseling (e.g., nutrition counseling), and behavioral support (e.g., community-based weight management programs, gym membership). Costs for these services can be reduced by providing new or expanded treatment coverage and lowering or eliminating patient out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., copayments, coinsurances, deductibles).

ROPC is coordinated through the health care system and preventive services may be delivered in clinical or non-clinical settings (e.g., worksite, community). ROPC is often implemented with additional interventions intended to improve patient–provider interaction and patient knowledge such as team-based care with medication counseling, and patient education. ROPC programs or policy changes may be communicated to patients and providers to increase awareness and use of covered services.

Summary of Task Force Recommendations & Findings

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends reducing patient out-of-pocket costs (ROPC) for medications to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol when combined with additional interventions aimed at improving patient–provider interaction and patient knowledge, such as team-based care with medication counseling, and patient education. This recommendation is based on strong evidence of effectiveness in improving (1) medication adherence and (2) blood pressure and cholesterol outcomes. Limited evidence was available to assess the effectiveness of reducing patient out-of-pocket costs for behavioral counseling or behavioral support services independent of reducing patient costs for medications.

Task Force Finding & Rationale Statement

Publications

The findings and results of this systematic review have not been published. You may subscribe to be notified as new materials on this topic become available.

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