The use of preferred pharmacy networks tripled to 44% among Medicare Advantage drug plans over the past decade and grew from 70% to 98% among stand-alone Medicare drug plans, researchers found.

Medicare accountable care organizations use preferred skilled nursing facility networks for postacute care management, although the size, structure, and resource allocation of networks vary widely.

Takeaway Points. Preferred pharmacy networks leverage lower cost sharing to encourage Part D beneficiaries’ use of lower-cost pharmacies. We evaluate financial incentives and pharmacy switching ...

The use of preferred pharmacy networks tripled to 44% among Medicare Advantage drug plans over the past decade and grew from 70% to 98% among stand-alone Medicare drug plans.