Report: FICO develops Medication Adherence Score

NEW YORK — A company best known for keeping credit scores on consumers is planning to rate their medication adherence as well, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that FICO developed the FICO Medication Adherence Score, designed to predict when patients might not use their medications properly or take their doses. Payers will use the scores, based on such data as homeownership and employment, to determine which patients should receive various reminders to take their drugs.

Medication nonadherence is considered a nationwide health crisis, costing the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $290 billion per year. According to the National Consumers League, three-fourths of Americans taking prescription drugs are not adherent to their medication regimens.