A recent study published in Health Affairs found that a prior authorization policy implemented by Maine Medicaid to restrict use of atypical antipsychotics (AAs) led to discontinuities in treatment among patients with schizophrenia. Researchers found that patients initiating treatment with AAs after the policy was instituted in Maine were 29% more likely to have treatment discontinuities than patients initiating treatment with AAs before the policy took effect.
In addition, spending only slightly decreased after policy implementation, suggesting minimal total cost savings at the end of the eight month policy period when compared to New Hampshire. The researchers report that prior authorization policies for antipsychotics and other mental health medicines may be problematic due to increases in treatment discontinuation, which often lead to psychotic episodes, hospitalizations, or other hazardous clinical and economic outcomes.
