Michael A Fischer
Biographic Data
| ID | 5533865 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michael A Fischer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michael A |
| FAMILY NAME | Fischer |
| SIGNATURE | FISCHER M A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4685-164X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1996 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Varieties of STS
Four STS (science, technology and society) collectives (from Kenya, Turkey, Japan, and Ecuador) presented their archives and accounts of their collective work at two meetings of the Society for the Social Study of Science (4S) in Sydney 2018, and New Orleans 2019. These presentations are not only very interesting in themselves, but are housed on a digital platform (Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography or PECE) that poses the questi…
Examining the Drivers of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications and Mortality Due to Heart Disease and Stroke
Background: Prior research has identified disparities in anti-hypertensive medication (AHM) non-adherence between Black/African Americans (BAAs) and non-Hispanic Whites (nHWs) but the role of determinants of health in these gaps is unclear. Non-adherence to AHM may be associated with increased mortality (due to heart disease and stroke) and the extent to which such associations are modified by contextual determinants of health may inform future i…
Associations Between Copays, Coverage Limits for Opioid Use Disorder Medications, and Prescribing in Medicaid, 2018
BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects millions of Americans, but only a fraction receive treatment. Many patients with OUD are enrolled in Medicaid, but elements of different state Medicaid programs' drug benefit designs may impact patients' access to life-saving care. OBJECTIVE: To describe medication for OUD (mOUD) use in Medicaid and examine the relationship between mOUD use and state drug benefit design plans. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: Cross-s…
Structural and Social Determinants of Health Factors Associated with County-Level Variation in Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication Treatment
AHM non-adherence varies by geographical location, one-third of which is explained by contextual SDH factors including poverty/food insecurity, weak social supports and healthy built environments
Restrictions of Hepatitis C Treatment for Substance-Using Medicaid Patients
Medicaid programs provide health insurance coverage for many patients with hepatitis C, a public health problem for which effective but very expensive treatments are now available. Facing constrained budgets, most states adopted prior authorization criteria for sofosbuvir, the first of these agents. Using fee-for-service utilization data from 42 Medicaid programs in 2014, we found that strict behavioral criteria—those that limited coverage on the…
Equity in the Receipt of Oseltamivir in the United States During the H1N1 Pandemic
Objectives. We assessed the relationship between individual characteristics and receipt of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the United States during the H1N1 pandemic and other flu seasons. Methods. In a cohort of individuals enrolled in pharmacy benefit plans, we used a multivariate logistic regression model to measure associations between subscriber characteristics and filling a prescription for oseltamivir during 3 flu seasons (October 2006–May 2007, …
Pharmacy-based Interventions to Reduce Primary Medication Nonadherence to Cardiovascular Medications
BACKGROUND: Primary medication nonadherence (PMN) occurs when patients do not fill new prescriptions. Interventions to reduce PMN have not been well described. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether 2 pharmacy-based interventions could decrease PMN. DESIGN: Two sequential interventions with a control group were evaluated after completion. The automated intervention began in 2007 and consisted of phone calls to patients on the third and seventh days aft…
Unintended Consequences of a Medicaid Prescription Copayment Policy
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medication copayments can influence patient choices. We evaluated 2 copayment policies implemented by Massachusetts Medicaid incentivizing the use of selected generic medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND MEASURES: In 2009, Massachusetts Medicaid copayments were $1 for generics and $3 for brands. On February 1, 2009, copayments for generic antihypertensives, antihyperlipidemics, and hypoglycemics (target medications) remaine…
Effects of Patient Medication Requests on Physician Prescribing Behavior
BACKGROUND: Because of internet searches, advice from friends, and pharmaceutical advertising, especially direct-to-consumer advertising, patients are increasingly activated to request medications during a physician encounter. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of patient requests for medications on physician-prescribing behavior, unconfounded by patient, physician, and practice-setting factors. RESEARCH DESIGN: Two experiments were conducted amo…
Knowing the Previously Unknown
Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA The author declares no conflict of interest. Reprints: Michael A. Fischer, MD, MS, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120. E-mail: [email protected]
Warnings Without Guidance
BACKGROUND: In January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) communicated concerns about the efficacy of ezetimibe, but did not provide clear clinical guidance, and substantial media attention ensued. We investigated the proportion of patients who discontinued therapy and switched to a clinically appropriate alternative after the FDA communication. METHODS: Using claims data from a national pharmacy benefits manager, we created a rolling c…
Weltanschauung
The Impact of Medicare Part D on Medication Adherence Among Older Adults Enrolled in Medicare-Advantage Products
BACKGROUND: Little is known about how Medicare Part D affects the medication refill adherence for cardiovascular and diabetes medications, particularly among beneficiaries without prior drug coverage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Medicare Part D's effect on medication adherence among beneficiaries with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and/or diabetes enrolled in Medicare Advantage products. RESEARCH DESIGN: We used a quasi-experimental pre-post design, w…
Patient, Physician, and Payment Predictors of Statin Adherence
BACKGROUND: Although many patient, physician, and payment predictors of adherence have been described, knowledge of their relative strength and overall ability to explain adherence is limited. OBJECTIVES: To measure the contributions of patient, physician, and payment predictors in explaining adherence to statins. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using administrative data. SUBJECTS: A total of 14,257 patients insured by Horizon Blue Cr…
Is There a Relationship Between Patient Beliefs or Communication About Generic Drugs and Medication Utilization
BACKGROUND: Insurers and policymakers strive to stimulate more cost-effective prescribing and, increasingly, are educating beneficiaries about generics. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between patient beliefs and communication about generic drugs and actual drug use. RESEARCH DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We performed a national mailed survey of a random sample of 2500 commercially-insured adults. Patient responses were linked to pharmacy claims …
Educating Trainees about the Cost of Medications
Medical students and residents should be taught about the cost of prescription medication, how these costs affect patient compliance, and how they can help alleviate the financial burden of prescription drugs. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association
Prior Authorization Policies for Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors in Medicaid
BACKGROUND: Many state Medicaid programs use prior authorization programs to limit spending on cyclooxygenase-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (coxibs). However, the evidence base for the prior authorization criteria has not been examined previously. METHODS: We determined whether prior authorization was required for coxibs in state Medicaid programs and collected data on what precise criteria needed to be met for a coxib prescrip…
Literary Change and Cognitive Science
Literary Change and Cognitive Science
Educating Trainees about the Cost of Medications
Medical students and residents should be taught about the cost of prescription medication, how these costs affect patient compliance, and how they can help alleviate the financial burden of prescription drugs. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association
Prior Authorization Policies for Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors in Medicaid
BACKGROUND: Many state Medicaid programs use prior authorization programs to limit spending on cyclooxygenase-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (coxibs). However, the evidence base for the prior authorization criteria has not been examined previously. METHODS: We determined whether prior authorization was required for coxibs in state Medicaid programs and collected data on what precise criteria needed to be met for a coxib prescrip…
Is There a Relationship Between Patient Beliefs or Communication About Generic Drugs and Medication Utilization
BACKGROUND: Insurers and policymakers strive to stimulate more cost-effective prescribing and, increasingly, are educating beneficiaries about generics. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between patient beliefs and communication about generic drugs and actual drug use. RESEARCH DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We performed a national mailed survey of a random sample of 2500 commercially-insured adults. Patient responses were linked to pharmacy claims …
The Impact of Medicare Part D on Medication Adherence Among Older Adults Enrolled in Medicare-Advantage Products
BACKGROUND: Little is known about how Medicare Part D affects the medication refill adherence for cardiovascular and diabetes medications, particularly among beneficiaries without prior drug coverage. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Medicare Part D's effect on medication adherence among beneficiaries with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and/or diabetes enrolled in Medicare Advantage products. RESEARCH DESIGN: We used a quasi-experimental pre-post design, w…
Patient, Physician, and Payment Predictors of Statin Adherence
BACKGROUND: Although many patient, physician, and payment predictors of adherence have been described, knowledge of their relative strength and overall ability to explain adherence is limited. OBJECTIVES: To measure the contributions of patient, physician, and payment predictors in explaining adherence to statins. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using administrative data. SUBJECTS: A total of 14,257 patients insured by Horizon Blue Cr…
Weltanschauung
Warnings Without Guidance
BACKGROUND: In January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) communicated concerns about the efficacy of ezetimibe, but did not provide clear clinical guidance, and substantial media attention ensued. We investigated the proportion of patients who discontinued therapy and switched to a clinically appropriate alternative after the FDA communication. METHODS: Using claims data from a national pharmacy benefits manager, we created a rolling c…
Equity in the Receipt of Oseltamivir in the United States During the H1N1 Pandemic
Objectives. We assessed the relationship between individual characteristics and receipt of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the United States during the H1N1 pandemic and other flu seasons. Methods. In a cohort of individuals enrolled in pharmacy benefit plans, we used a multivariate logistic regression model to measure associations between subscriber characteristics and filling a prescription for oseltamivir during 3 flu seasons (October 2006–May 2007, …
Pharmacy-based Interventions to Reduce Primary Medication Nonadherence to Cardiovascular Medications
BACKGROUND: Primary medication nonadherence (PMN) occurs when patients do not fill new prescriptions. Interventions to reduce PMN have not been well described. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether 2 pharmacy-based interventions could decrease PMN. DESIGN: Two sequential interventions with a control group were evaluated after completion. The automated intervention began in 2007 and consisted of phone calls to patients on the third and seventh days aft…
Unintended Consequences of a Medicaid Prescription Copayment Policy
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medication copayments can influence patient choices. We evaluated 2 copayment policies implemented by Massachusetts Medicaid incentivizing the use of selected generic medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND MEASURES: In 2009, Massachusetts Medicaid copayments were $1 for generics and $3 for brands. On February 1, 2009, copayments for generic antihypertensives, antihyperlipidemics, and hypoglycemics (target medications) remaine…
Effects of Patient Medication Requests on Physician Prescribing Behavior
BACKGROUND: Because of internet searches, advice from friends, and pharmaceutical advertising, especially direct-to-consumer advertising, patients are increasingly activated to request medications during a physician encounter. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of patient requests for medications on physician-prescribing behavior, unconfounded by patient, physician, and practice-setting factors. RESEARCH DESIGN: Two experiments were conducted amo…
Knowing the Previously Unknown
Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA The author declares no conflict of interest. Reprints: Michael A. Fischer, MD, MS, Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 1620 Tremont Street, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120. E-mail: [email protected]
Restrictions of Hepatitis C Treatment for Substance-Using Medicaid Patients
Medicaid programs provide health insurance coverage for many patients with hepatitis C, a public health problem for which effective but very expensive treatments are now available. Facing constrained budgets, most states adopted prior authorization criteria for sofosbuvir, the first of these agents. Using fee-for-service utilization data from 42 Medicaid programs in 2014, we found that strict behavioral criteria—those that limited coverage on the…
Structural and Social Determinants of Health Factors Associated with County-Level Variation in Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication Treatment
AHM non-adherence varies by geographical location, one-third of which is explained by contextual SDH factors including poverty/food insecurity, weak social supports and healthy built environments
Examining the Drivers of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Non-Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications and Mortality Due to Heart Disease and Stroke
Background: Prior research has identified disparities in anti-hypertensive medication (AHM) non-adherence between Black/African Americans (BAAs) and non-Hispanic Whites (nHWs) but the role of determinants of health in these gaps is unclear. Non-adherence to AHM may be associated with increased mortality (due to heart disease and stroke) and the extent to which such associations are modified by contextual determinants of health may inform future i…
Associations Between Copays, Coverage Limits for Opioid Use Disorder Medications, and Prescribing in Medicaid, 2018
BACKGROUND: Opioid use disorder (OUD) affects millions of Americans, but only a fraction receive treatment. Many patients with OUD are enrolled in Medicaid, but elements of different state Medicaid programs' drug benefit designs may impact patients' access to life-saving care. OBJECTIVE: To describe medication for OUD (mOUD) use in Medicaid and examine the relationship between mOUD use and state drug benefit design plans. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: Cross-s…
Varieties of STS
Four STS (science, technology and society) collectives (from Kenya, Turkey, Japan, and Ecuador) presented their archives and accounts of their collective work at two meetings of the Society for the Social Study of Science (4S) in Sydney 2018, and New Orleans 2019. These presentations are not only very interesting in themselves, but are housed on a digital platform (Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography or PECE) that poses the questi…
Medicine (15 works) · Medication Adherence and Compliance (11 works) · Medical prescription (9 works) · Internal Medicine (8 works) · Family medicine (6 works) · Internal Medicine (6 works) · Nursing (6 works) · Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes (6 works) · Pharmacology (6 works) · Pharmacology (6 works)