92% Of Second-Generation Antipsychotic Drug Prescriptions For Medicaid-Enrolled Children Were Off-Label

A federal review of Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) claims in five states for second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) prescribed to children ages 0 to 17 found that 92% were prescribed off-label, while only 8% were prescribed for a medically accepted pediatric indication. The review covered a sample of 687 FFS Medicaid claims for SGAs prescribed to children in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas. In 2011, these states represented 39% of total Medicaid payments for SGAs. The review found one or more quality of care concerns in 67% of claims; 49% of claims had two or more quality . . .