Determinants of satisfaction with prescription drug plans

Abstract

Satisfaction among health plan members with their prescription drug coverage was studied. Interviews of patrons of 10 randomly selected community pharmacies in the Pittsburgh area were conducted by entry-level Pharm. D. students during spring 1999. Survey participants were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction with each of nine items dealing with various components of pharmacy benefit plans and to provide health-related and sociodemographic information. Differences in responses were assessed with univariate and multivariate statistics. A total of 504 people were interviewed. The results of general linear model and multivariate procedures indicated that the sociodemographic characteristics of respondents did little to explain variations in satisfaction. Differences were governed primarily by having a choice of plans in which to enroll and of perceptions of plan limitations. Most respondents were overwhelmingly satisfied with the quality of their prescription drug plans. Government-sponsored plans were rated at least as well as private plans. Members of health care plans in a metropolitan region were satisfied with their prescription drug coverage. Satisfaction was primarily determined by perceptions about coverage limitations and having a choice of plans.