Studies from University of Southern California Yield New Information about Managed Care (Why do few Medicare beneficiaries switch their Part D prescription drug plans? Insights from behavioral sciences): Managed Care

2026 JAN 06 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Current study results on Managed Care have been published. According to news originating from Los Angeles, United States, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Medicare Part D innovatively included a market in public health insurance in the United States. Proponents argued that increased competition would drive better value for beneficiaries, but others feared that beneficiaries would struggle to navigate the complex program.”

Financial support for this research came from University of Southern California.

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the University of Southern California, “Understanding how Part D beneficiaries choose between plans allows us to evaluate the extent to which Medicare Part D succeeds at increasing value to beneficiaries and where there is scope to support beneficiaries. Many Part D beneficiaries are sensitive to price cues in relation to pharmacy choice and medication adherence, yet frequently overpay for their plans. Empirical literature suggests that behavioral aspects including information overload, low salience, low trust, and practical ‘sludge’ all partly contribute to failure to switch.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “We propose solutions to address these barriers based on behavioral insights.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Why do few Medicare beneficiaries switch their Part D prescription drug plans? Insights from behavioral sciences. Journal of Public Health Policy, 2025. Journal of Public Health Policy can be contacted at: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd, Brunel Rd Bldg, Houndmills, Basingstoke RG21 6XS, Hants, England.

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Nathan Hodson, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-025-00618-1. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

The publisher’s contact information for the Journal of Public Health Policy is: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd, Brunel Rd Bldg, Houndmills, Basingstoke RG21 6XS, Hants, England.

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