OBJECTIVES: Develop an economic model to estimate the impact of medication synchronization programs that align medication fill dates, offer consultations, and demonstrate improved medication adherence on associated healthcare costs for combined commercial and Medicaid populations.

METHODS: An economic value model was developed based on published literature, National Health Expenditure data, and a Health Care Cost Institute report to compare total healthcare costs with and without medication synchronization. The impact of healthcare cost was estimated for 100,000 commercial and Medicaid beneficiaries, assuming 10% filled multiple maintenance medications in multiple pharmacy trips per month and 25% enrolled in a medication synchronization program. To study the range of medication synchronization impact on total healthcare cost, three medication adherence improvements from 3 independent studies with different program settings were applied in the model. This model can be customized by entering alternative population sizes, medication synchronization eligible rates, enrollment rates, and cost saving projection year. The primary outcome measure reported net healthcare cost savings per member per year.

RESULTS : In a group of 100,000 commercial and Medicaid beneficiaries, if 2.5% enrolled in a medication synchronization program and they improved medication adherence an average of 6.8%, the net healthcare cost savings per member per year is $11.60. If they achieved an 8.4% medication adherence improvement, the net healthcare cost savings per member per year is $14.55; if they achieved a 15.6% medication adherence improvement, the net healthcare cost savings per member per year increases to $27.84.

CONCLUSIONS: Economic modeling demonstrated that medication synchronization programs can result in substantial healthcare cost savings by improving medication adherence. Proper planning with cost models can help policy makers understand the value of medication synchronization and develop strategies to implement and improve its impact. Legislation, especially state-level, is needed to facilitate programs that help patients synchronize their medications.