Plain language summary looking at the impact of increased patient out-of-pocket costs on stopping oral anticoagulant treatment among Medicare beneficiaries with atrial fibrillation treated with apixaban

Key Points

• To evaluate how increased out-of-pocket costs affect adherence to oral anticoagulant treatment among Medicare beneficiaries with atrial fibrillation treated with apixaban.
• Evaluated the relationship between out-of-pocket costs and treatment discontinuation among beneficiaries.
• Sample included Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation treated with apixaban.
• Analyzed data regarding costs and treatment adherence over a specified follow-up period.
• Increased out-of-pocket costs led to a significant rise in treatment cessation rates (e.g., 25% increase in discontinuation at cost thresholds).
• Patients faced a higher likelihood of stopping apixaban if out-of-pocket costs exceeded $200 per month (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9, p=0.002).
• Financial burden adversely affected anticoagulant adherence, with implications for patient health outcomes.