This study found no evidence that use of antipsychotic medication in long-term care facilities was associated with increased hospital events or mortality.   

Simoni-Wastila, L., P. T. Ryder, et al. (2009). Association of antipsychotic use with hospital events and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries residing in long-term care facilities. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 17(5), 417-27. DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e31819b8936 http://journals.lww.com/ajgponline/Abstract/2009/05000/Association_of_Antipsychotic_Use_With_Hospital.9.aspx

The article explores the shift in prescription coverage for dual eligible mental health patients from Medicaid to Medicare Part D in 2006.  The authors note that a reduction in the number of plans and increases utilization of psychotropic drugs raises concerns about access to medication for individuals with mental illness.  The authors suggest possible changes to Medicare's enrollment and risk-sharing systems. 

Donohue, J. M., H. A. Huskamp, et al. (2009). Dual eligibles with mental disorders and Medicare part D: how are they faring? Health Affairs, 28(3), 746-59. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.3.746 http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/3/746 

This paper analyzes underreporting and under-presentation of high expenditure cases in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS).  The study finds that underreporting effected all groups but uniformly so that behavioral analyses were unaffected.  

Zuvekas, S. H. and G. L. Olin (2009). Accuracy of Medicare expenditures in the medical expenditure panel survey. Inquiry, 46(1), 92-108.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19489486 

Authors: Samuel H. Zuvekas, Gary L. Olin.

This study examined the effects of depression and cognitive impairment on the Medicare beneficiaries' plans to enroll in Medicare Part D and their enrollment status.  The authors found that vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries with depression or cognitive impairment had equal access to Medicare Part D enrollment with non-vulnerable beneficiaries; however, they note that additional research is needed to determine the extent to which Part D meets the needs of this population. 

Zivin, K., M. U. Kabeto, et al. (2009). The effect of depression and cognitive impairment on enrollment in Medicare Part D. J Am Geriatr Soc. 57(8), 1433-1440. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19515100 

Authors: Kara Zivin, Mohammed U. Kabeto, Helen C. Kales, Kenneth M. Langa.

This study examined the effects of major and minor depression on Medicare home health care utilization, finding that both major and minor depression have little association with the probability and the amount of use of types of Medicare home health services and that there were no major differences between patients with minor and major depression.  The authors suggest that that further research is required to determine if similar findings occur in other home health agencies and under the current Medicare Prospective Payment System.

Friedman, B., R. L. Delavan, et al. (2009). The effect of major and minor depression on Medicare home healthcare services use. J Am Geriatr Soc., 57(4), 669-75. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19392959 

Authors: Bruce Friedman, Rachel L. Delavan, Thomas H. Sheeran, Martha L. Bruce.

This articles examines the use of a controversial prior authorization policy in the Michigan Medicaid program on antidepressant use and and health outcomes for dually eligible Medicaid and Medicare enrollees with a Social Security Disability Insurance designation of permanent disability.  The study found that prior authorization was associated with increased use of preferred drugs with no evidence of adverse events among new users; however, there were unintended effects on treatment initiation and switching among patients already taking the drug. 

Adams, A. S., F. Zhang, et al. (2009). Prior authorization for antidepressants in Medicaid: effects among disabled dual enrollees. Arch Intern Med., 169(8), 750-6.  http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/8/750

Authors: Alyce S. Adams, Fang Zhang, Robert F. LeCates, Amy Johnson Graves, Dennis Ross-Degnan, Daniel Gilden, Thomas J. McLaughlin, Christine Lu, Connie M. Trinacty, Stephen B. Soumerai.