Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) Practice Exam

Why do third party payers utilize patient cost sharing?

1. To improve patient health

2. To penalize patients

3. To increase profits

4. To control utilization

The correct answer is: To control utilization

Third party payers utilize patient cost sharing as a way to control utilization, meaning they hope to discourage patients from seeking unnecessary or excessive medical treatment. Option A is incorrect because while improved patient health may be a underlying goal, it is not the primary reason for implementing patient cost sharing. Option B is incorrect as it implies a punitive approach rather than a preventative one. Option C is incorrect as it may not align with the third party payer's priorities and cost sharing is not solely for the purpose of increasing profits. Therefore, option D is the most accurate explanation for why third party payers utilize patient cost sharing.