Hilltop Receives Grant to Study the Economics of Antipsychotic Drug Use in Maryland’s Medicaid Population

The Hilltop Institute, in partnership with the UMBC Department of Public Policy, has received a two-year grant from NIH to study the economics of antipsychotic drug use in Maryland’s Medicaid population. The principal aim of the study is to analyze Maryland’s Medicaid data to identify cost and clinical correlates to specific antipsychotic drug choices of patients with schizophrenia. The analysis will review data spanning the period from 2002-2005, and earlier as feasible for select subpopulations. Dr. Tony Tucker from Hilltop will assist the project by merging Medicare and Medicaid records in order to assess clinical heterogeneity and costs, specifically for persons receiving benefits from both programs (dual eligibles). Senior Research Analyst Michael Abrams, MPH, the project’s co-investigator, will lead Hilltop’s team. Dr. David Salkever, Professor, Department of Public Policy, is the project’s principal investigator.

June 18, 2008