The researchers wrote that part of the reason for this medical spending increase could be an overuse of certain drugs. An overuse of drugs can lead to increased adverse drug events and greater use of health services.
The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. One researcher reported serving on the Board of Health Advisors for the Congressional Budget Office as well as being a director of and having equity in Aetna, which sells Medicare Advantage and Part D products.