Background: There is a paucity of research on the characteristics of the mail-order pharmacy user population.
Objective: This study used a nationally representative sample to examine the characteristics of users of mail-order pharmacies.
Methods: This study used data from the 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). The outcome variable was defined as whether the participant had used a mail-order pharmacy during the study year. Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors influencing the use of mail-order pharmacies. All analyzes incorporated MEPS sampling weights to accommodate the complex survey design.
Results: Among the 14,106 adults included, approximately 18% of them had used a mail-order pharmacy at least once to fill their prescription in 2012. Compared with users of community pharmacies, mail-order pharmacy users were more likely to be white, older, married, have a higher household income, have a higher educational level, have health insurance, and have a prescription with at least a 30-day supply . there is no gender difference or urban/rural disparity. in addition, users of mail-order pharmacies had a lower percentage of out-of-pocket expenses.
Conclusion: Use of mail-order pharmacies was significantly associated with certain patient characteristics. Policymakers should consider these features when promoting the use of mail-order pharmacies.