Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39762862›Full record

ArticleHealth research policy and systems2025

Stakeholder perspectives on facilitators and barriers to implementing a zero-dollar copay program for chronic conditions study.

Debra Winberg, Elizabeth Nauman, Lizheng Shi, Brice L Mohundro, Kelly Louis, Eboni G Price-Haywood, Tiange Tang, Alessandra N Bazzano

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health research policy and systems, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Debra WinbergSchool of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States of America. dwinberg@tulane.edu.
Elizabeth NaumanLouisiana Public Health Institute, New Orleans, United States of America.
Lizheng ShiSchool of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States of America.
Brice L MohundroBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, United States of America.
Kelly LouisBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, United States of America.
Eboni G Price-HaywoodOchsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, United States of America.
Tiange TangSchool of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States of America.
Alessandra N BazzanoDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, United States of America.

Funding

CDC and NIDDK 1U18DP006523-01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) remains a pressing public health concern. Despite advancements in antidiabetic medications, suboptimal medication adherence persists among many individuals with T2D, often due to the high cost of medications. To combat this issue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (Blue Cross) introduced the $0 Drug Copay (ZDC) program, providing $0 copays for select drugs. This study sought to explore barriers and facilitators to the successful implementation of Blue Cross's ZDC program (updated version).

methodsFocus group discussions and interviews were conducted with health plan leadership, health coaches and providers who participate in the health plan organization's healthcare quality improvement program. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2022 and July 2023. Discussion guides were developed collaboratively and tailored to each participant group. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using NVivo

resultsIn total, 15 participants were interviewed: 6 were Blue Cross administrators, 5 were health coaches and 4 were Quality Blue providers. Overall, participants had positive feedback on the ZDC program and perceived that it has significant benefits for patients and the health system but could be improved, and four themes related to implementation barriers and facilitators, effectiveness and potential areas of improvement were identified: (1) the ZDC program reduces friction for patients, prescribers and the health system; (2) the program is aligned with the values of health systems, insurers and providers, facilitating implementation success; (3) expanding coverage (drug classes and conditions) and education (for providers and patients) could maximize program benefits; and (4) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) did not negatively impact program administration because the $0 copay was programmed at the benefit level.

conclusionsThe ZDC program aligns goals and can benefit patients, providers and patients. The program can have the largest potential if it is expanded to include new medications and new conditions, and if there is more education for patients and providers. Regardless of challenges, reduced-copay programs have the potential to improve medication adherence, improve HbA1C control and improve overall health outcomes. Trial Registration This study was approved by the Tulane University Institutional Review Board, IRB #2020-1986.

Indexed as

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance PlansDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Focus GroupsMedication AdherenceStakeholder ParticipationChronic DiseaseDeductibles and CoinsuranceDrug CostsHumansHypoglycemic AgentsLouisianaQualitative ResearchQuality ImprovementHypoglycemic AgentsAdherenceBarriersDiabetesFacilitatorsHealth planHealth systemImplementationQualitative

Identifiers

PMID39762862
PMCPMC11702045

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.