Table 1.
Characteristics of buprenorphine users dually enrolled in VA and Medicare Part D in 2012, by source of buprenorphine.
| Characteristic | Buprenorphine Source |
Alla n (%) |
P-Valueb | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA n (%) | Part D n (%) | |||
| 760 (42.5) | 1,091 (60.9) | 1,790 | ||
| Age, years, mean (SD) | 55.3 (10.9) | 56.6 (11.0) | 56.1 (10.9) | <0.01 |
| Age, years | ||||
| 18-39 | 74 (9.7) | 93 (8.5) | 156 (8.7) | 0.1 |
| 40-64 | 546 (71.8) | 754 (69.1) | 1,263 (70.6) | |
| 65+ | 140 (18.4) | 244 (22.4) | 371 (20.7) | |
| Gender, male | 720 (94.7) | 1,030 (94.4) | 1,692 (94.5) | 0.76 |
| Race and ethnicityc | ||||
| Hispanic | 83 (11.0) | 67 (6.2) | 144 (8.1) | |
| Non-Hispanic White, single race | 514 (68.1) | 855 (78.9) | 1,325 (74.6) | <0.01 |
| Non-Hispanic Black, single race | 147 (19.5) | 146 (13.5) | 283 (15.9) | |
| Non-Hispanic Other | 11 (1.5) | 15 (1.4) | 25 (1.4) | |
| Medicare Advantaged in 2012 | 213 (28.0) | 346 (31.7) | 544 (30.4) | 0.09 |
| Medicaid coverage in 2012 | ||||
| Overall | 381 (50.1) | 466 (42.7) | 819 (45.8) | <0.01 |
| Age < 65e | 315 (50.8) | 396 (46.8) | 688 (48.5) | 0.12 |
| Age ≥ 65e | 66 (47.1) | 70 (28.7) | 131 (35.3) | <0.01 |
| Low-income subsidyf | ||||
| Not eligible | 311 (40.9) | 482 (44.2) | 768 (42.9) | <0.01 |
| Fully subsidized | 404 (53.2) | 483 (44.3) | 856 (47.8) | |
| Partially subsidized | 45 (5.9) | 126 (11.5) | 166 (9.3) | |
| Urban/Ruralg | ||||
| Urban | 555 (73.0) | 772 (70.7) | 1,283 (71.6) | 0.29 |
| Rural | 205 (27.0) | 319 (29.2) | 507 (28.3) | |
There were 61 individuals receiving buprenorphine in both VA and Part D in 2012. These individuals were included in both user groups.
P-value for comparing patient characteristics across the 2 groups of buprenorphine users from Chi-Square or ANOVA tests.
Race missing for 13 subjects.
Medicare Advantage plans are managed care plans within Medicare.
Numbers represent the percent of the cohort in the given age group enrolled in Medicaid in 2012. For example, among VA buprenorphine users under age 65, 315 (50.8%) were enrolled in Medicaid.
Low income subsidy is available in Medicare Part D to assist low-income individuals with coverage.
Urban/Rural defined based on county of residence.