Insurer Medication Utilization Barriers are Associated with Decreased Insurance Satisfaction and Adverse Clinical Outcomes: An IBD Partners Survey

Abstract

Background: Insurer-mandated barriers to timely initiation of advanced therapies used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been shown to worsen clinical outcomes and increase healthcare utilization, yet rarely alter the medication ultimately prescribed. Methods: We conducted a survey within the IBD Partners longitudinal cohort to evaluate the frequency and patient-reported impacts of medication utilization barriers on insurance satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Barriers included medication denials, prior authorizations, and forced medication switches. Variables associated with insurance satisfaction, measured on a 1-7 Likert scale, were identified. The association between insurance-related barriers and downstream clinical outcomes (surgery, corticosteroid requirement, and disease activity) were evaluated. Results: 2,017 patients (Age 45 [IQR 34-58], 73% female) were included. Seventy-two percent experienced an insurer-mandated barrier, most commonly prior authorizations (51%). Fifteen percent were denied an IBD medication by their insurer, 22% experienced an insurance-related gap in therapy, and 8% were forced by their insurer to switch from an effective medication. Insurance satisfaction was negatively associated with medication denials, prior authorization-related delays, gaps in therapy, and high-deductible health plan coverage. In the year following the initial survey, several insurance barriers were linked to negative downstream clinical outcomes, including prior authorizations associated with corticosteroid rescue (OR 2.24, 95%CI 1.25-4.00), forced medication switches associated with continued disease activity (OR 3.28, 95%CI 1.56-6.89), and medication denials associated with IBD-related surgery (OR 8.92, 95%CI 1.97-40.39). Conclusions: These data illustrate the frequency and negative impacts of insurer-mandated medication barriers on patients with IBD, including decreased insurance satisfaction and negative downstream clinical outcomes.