Children are at greater risk than adults for weight gain and metabolic disorders including hyperlipidemia and diabetes with newer antipsychotics. A web-based safety-monitoring program using a prior documentation model required submission of patient safety data (prior documentation) for insurance coverage at the pharmacy point of sale. This program launched in April of 2011, covering all NC Medicaid and Health Choice recipients under age 18. Clinical monitoring parameters and interactive educational features were developed with pediatric psychiatric experts and key mental health stakeholder groups.

Using a four-year run in period and a full 9 months of post implementation claims data, evaluate the rates of antipsychotic prescribing and safety monitoring before and after the implementation of the A + KIDS program.

Implementation of this program was associated with a consistent monthly decrease in overall antipsychotic use and increases in patient monitoring of glucose and lipid (Figure. 1, Table 1).

The prior documentation registry was effective in decreasing antipsychotic use and increasing safety monitoring. The impact of changing to more traditional prior authorization on the same clinical endpoints is currently under evaluation.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.