Song, HannahAdamson, AdewoleMostaghimi, Arash2017-08-212017Song, Hannah, Adewole Adamson, and Arash Mostaghimi. 2017. “Medicare Part D Payments for Topical Steroids.” JAMA Dermatology 153 (8) (August 1): 755. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.1130.2168-6068http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:33786910Question What are the trends, drivers, and potential modifiers of Medicare spending on topical steroids? Findings In this retrospective analysis of Medicare Part D claims data between 2011 and 2015, Medicare spent $2.3 billion on topical steroids; spending increased 226.5%, while prescriptions increased 37.0%. If prescribers had written for the cheapest topical steroid within the same potency class, Medicare could have saved $944.8 million. Meaning Medicare spending on topical steroids continues to rise, largely owing to increased medication costs for generic drugs; encouraging physicians to prescribe the cheapest topical steroids within a given potency group may decrease health care expenditures without compromising patient outcomes.en-USJournal Article2018-04-3010.1001/jamadermatol.2017.1130