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. 2004 Fall;26(1):57–73.

Figure 5. Medicaid Central Nervous System (CNS) Drug Payments Per Recipient for 29 SMRF States, by Basis of Eligibility: 1996-1998.

Figure 5

Disabled Beneficiaries in the 29 SMRF States Had the Highest Utilization of Prescription CNS Drugs Based on Payment Per Recipient for All 3 Years

  • The disabled had an annual average CNS drug payment of $483 in 1996, $603 in 1997, and $814 in 1998. Children, who consistently received the lowest annual payment per recipient, received $79 in 1996, $117 in 1997, and $187 in 1998.
  • In 1998 the disabled's average CNS drug payment of $814 was nearly double the amount for the aged, well over triple the amount for adults, and over four times the amount for children.
  • The percentage increase in drug payments for all four basis of eligibility groups was higher from 1997 to 1998 than it was for 1996 to 1997. The payment per recipient for the disabled increased by 24.95 percent from 1996 to 1997, and another 34.86 percent from 1997 to 1998.
  • As remarkable as the increase was for the disabled, the rate of growth for children was considerably higher. Children experienced a jump in the average payment per recipient for CNS drugs of 48.74 percent from 1996 to 1997, and 59.72 percent from 1997 to 1998.