Table 1

Events and periods under study and copayment schemes

PeriodFirst week of periodLast week of periodTermination eventFixed copaymentCoinsurance
1. Initial period1 (3 January 2011)41 (16 October 2011)First press report on regional copaymentNone Pensioners
0% All medications
Non-pensioners
40% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€2.64 ceiling per prescription)
2. Awareness after news publication42 (17 October 2011)77 (24 June 2012)Introduction of the regional fixed €1 per prescription copaymentNone Pensioners
0% All medications
Non-pensioners
40% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€2.64 ceiling per prescription)
3. Fixed copayment78 (25 June 2012)Non-pensioner profiles: 82 (23 July 2012)
Pensioner profiles: 87 (26 August 2012)
0% copayment profile: 85 (13 August 2012)
Introduction of the changes in national coinsurance rates€1 per prescription for all medications over €1.67*
Annual limit: €61 per patient
Pensioners
0% All medications
Non-pensioners
40% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€2.64 ceiling per prescription)
4. Fixed copayment + new coinsurance rateNon-pensioner profiles: 83 (30 July 2012)
Pensioner profiles: 88 (3 September 2012)
0% copayment profile: 86 (20 August)
107 (20 January 2013)Suspension of regional fixed copayment€1 per prescription for all medications over €1.67*
Annual limit: €61 per patient
Poor population
0% All medications
Low/middle-income pensioners
10% All medications with monthly limits per patient based on income
Low-income non-pensioners
40% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
Middle-income non-pensioners
50% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
High-income population (pensioners §  and non-pensioners)
60% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
5. New coinsurance rate108 (21 January 2013)183 (30 June 2014)None Poor population
0% All medications
Low/middle-income pensioners
10% All medications with monthly limits per patient based on income
Low-income non-pensioners
40% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
Middle-income non-pensioners
50% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
High-income population §  (pensioners and non-pensioners)
60% Regular medicines
10% Reduced contribution medicines (€4.13 ceiling per prescription)
  • *Population at risk of exclusion was not subject to copayment.

  • †Population excluded from coinsurance: minimum integration copayment, non-contributory income, unemployed without benefits and analogous situations.

  • ‡Patient monthly limit based on patient income of €8 (<€18 000/year) and €18 (€18 000–€100 000/year).

  • §Pensioner patients had a monthly limit of €60.