OBJECTIVES: To better understand payer/decision maker perspective on using ICER to inform formulary reimbursement and coverage decisions.

METHODS: Dymaxium reviewed 802 syndicated survey responses from the FormularyDecisions.com® community, which includes payers and other US health care decision makers actively reviewing products for formulary coverage decisions. The surveys were completed between July 11, 2018 and January 7, 2019. The FormularyDecisions.com® platform connects 1900+ payers and other health care decision makers to 150,000 evidence links, peer-reviewed references, and resources, including product dossiers and pipeline information.

RESULTS: Most respondents (63%) indicated that they have used or will use ICER reports as part of their formulary review. Of those having used ICER reports, 61% indicated their primary use was as a secondary source of evidence and over one-third to inform/validate their own research. Participants found ICER reports useful (weighted score 3.9 out of 5) and 77% would recommend ICER reports to their peers. Report and model quality and satisfaction was rated highly (weighted score of > 4 out of 5 for each ICER report reviewed). Key words used to describe the ICER reports are “clear; easy to understand; concise”. Key words used to describe ICER models are “clear methodology; comprehensive”. Those indicating they did not use ICER reports in their product review cited the primary reason as timeliness of report availability in relation to their formulary review timing (42%).

CONCLUSIONS: The research supports significant use of ICER reports among payers and other US decision makers as part of their formulary review. Overall the reports are useful and of high quality, but respondents recognize reports are not always available in time to be included. Additional analysis could be conducted on the difference between payers, PBMs and IDNs with respect to their attitudes and usage of ICER reports.