Table 1.
Summary Statistics for Newly Diagnosed RA Patients by Plan Generosity, 2000–2005
| Average plan biologic OOP costs in top quartile under medical benefits | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Average plan biologic OOP costs under medical benefits (mean/SD) | 436 (535) | 4,364 (1,911) | 722 (626) | 4,961 (2,451) |
| Average plan biologic OOP costs in top quartile under pharmacy benefits | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Average plan biologic OOP costs under pharmacy benefits (mean/SD) | 133 (92) | 176 (108) | 1,177 (767) | 1,456 (1,127) |
| Number of plans in the group | 104 | 28 | 28 | 16 |
| Mean (SD) | ||||
| Demographics | ||||
| Age | 64 (15) | 59 (14) | 52 (15) | 70 (12) |
| Age 65 or older (%) | 48 | 33 | 16 | 80 |
| Male (%) | 28 | 32 | 28 | 39 |
| Socioeconomic status | ||||
| Currently working (%) | 27 | 35 | 74 | 12 |
| Median HH income (U.S.$1,000) | 41 (9) | 45 (11) | 44 (10) | 46 (12) |
| Urban residence (%) | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| Household composition | ||||
| One or more family members (in plan) (%) | 61 | 71 | 79 | 77 |
| Family size | 1.87 (0.96) | 2.08 1.04) | 2.48 (1.23) | 1.88 (0.68) |
| Comorbid conditions (RA patient) (%) | ||||
| Asthma | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Hypertension | 35 | 26 | 18 | 34 |
| Diabetes | 12 | 10 | 8 | 11 |
| Hyperlipidemia | 12 | 10 | 6 | 14 |
| Heart disease | 21 | 13 | 8 | 21 |
| Depression | 7 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
| Osteoarthritis | 24 | 17 | 15 | 24 |
| Number of person-years | 13,194 | 3,302 | 549 | 2,297 |
HH, household; OOP, out of pocket; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SD, standard deviation.