Economic model of sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride in health plan and work site smoking-cessation programs

Michael T. Halpern, Zeba M. Khan, Terri L. Young, Carmelina Battista

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development and application of an economic model designed to assess the specific costs and benefits of health plan coverage of smoking-cessation programs involving sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride are described. A cohort of 100,000 employees or health plan members and 60,000 adult dependents was followed from the start of the model to either retirement at age 65 or death at age 85. The model was used to compare outcomes for coverage versus no coverage of sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride as a component of a smoking-cessation benefit under four managed care plan scenarios and four employer scenarios. For the managed care scenarios involving coverage of bupropion sustained-release the overall decrease in health care costs over a 20-year period ranged from $7.9 million to $8.8 million; for every dollar spent covering smoking cessation, $4.10-$4.69 in health care costs was saved. For the employer scenarios, health care costs over 20 years decreased by $8.3 million to $14.0 million, and smoking-related indirect costs decreased an additional $5.1 million to $7.7 million; for every dollar spent covering smoking cessation, $5.04-$6.48 was saved. A model developed to assess the specific costs and benefits of covering sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride as a component of a smoking-cessation benefit indicated cost savings for health plans and employers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1421-1429
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Volume57
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antidepressants
  • Bupropion hydrochloride
  • Costs
  • Economics
  • Health care
  • Managed care systems
  • Models
  • Smoking
  • Sustained-action medications

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacy
  • Pharmacology
  • Health Policy

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