AJMC: Medications in ‘Protected Classes’ Are Heavily Managed Under Medicare Part D

​A new study published in the American Journal of Managed Care concludes that medications in Medicare’s six protected classes are the most likely to be subject to various utilization management techniques — such as step therapy or prior authorization — that are employed by Part D plans. Among their findings, the authors found that antipsychotic drugs – one of the six protected classes – is among the most likely classes of drugs to have step therapy imposed upon formulary placement. The study authors also reported that antipsychotics along with antiepileptics are among the most likely drug classes to require prior authorization upon formulary placement.  

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