Long Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

People with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, face many challenges related to accessing community mental health services and adherence to medication regimens. For individuals with schizophrenia, these challenges may be compounded because of their specific mental health symptoms, which may hinder cognitive ability including memory deficits. These cognitive challenges may, in particular, affect their ability to comply with oral antipsychotic medication regimens. However, the advent of Long‐Acting Injectable (LAIs) antipsychotics promises to increase compliance with medication therapy. Yet, little is known as to the impact of LAIs on medication adherence and access to mental health treatment among Kentucky Medicaid beneficiaries with Schizophrenia. 

The purpose of this study is to examine retrospective and prospective data to understand the impact of the use of LAIs among people living with schizophrenia who are Medicaid beneficiaries. To do this, we will: 

1) Examine retrospective Kentucky Medicaid data to:  

a. Assess the frequency of LAI use and

b. Examine the comparative effectiveness of LAIs compared to oral antipsychotics on specific indicators of recovery (e.g., increased mental health resource utilization, costs of services)

2) Examine prospective data among patients receiving LAIs during admission as compared to oral antipsychotics on engagement in community mental health services after discharge.

The findings of this study will be important for healthcare providers, policymakers, and managed care organizations in guiding decisions regarding the use of LAIs and other oral antipsychotics for the treatment of people living with schizophrenia.

Aim 1a. To assess the frequency of LAI use among Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky

Aim 1b. To examine the comparative effectiveness of LAIs vs. oral antipsychotics in specific indicators of recovery among Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky. 

Aim 2.   Examine prospective data among patients receiving LAIs during admission as compared to oral antipsychotics on engagement in community mental health services after discharge. 

Disparities and access to care, preventable hospitalization, and severe mental illness.  The impact will be to enhance access to care and prevent hospitalizations within a subpopulation of people living with severe mental health issues (schizophrenia).

Acknowledgment: Research reported on this Long-Acting Injectables Program page was supported, in part, by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services under the Agreement titled “Assessing the Impact of Long-Acting Injectables on Psychiatric Treatment Outcomes among Medicaid Beneficiaries.”

Disclaimer: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services.