Lessons from Medicare+Choice for Medicare Reform

Authors

Geraldine Dallek
Brian Biles, George Washington University
Lauren Hersch Nicholas, George Washington University

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-2003

Journal

Policy Brief (Commonwealth Fund)

Volume

Volume 658

Inclusive Pages

1-17

Keywords

Health Care Reform--statistics & numerical data; Insurance Benefits--statistics & numerical data; Managed Care Programs--statistics & numerical data; Medicare Part C--statistics & numerical data

Abstract

Medicare has a long history with private health plans, most importantly the 1997 creation of the Medicare+Choice (M+C) program. The objectives of M+C included expanding the types of plans available to Medicare beneficiaries, increasing payments to plans in low-cost areas, and fostering competition among private plans. HMOs have left the M+C program in large numbers. Although many private M+C plans perform well compared with fee-for-service Medicare on selected preventive health measures, on other measures—including access to care, stability of providers, simplicity of benefit structure, and costs to the Medicare program—the history of M+C is less positive.

APA Citation

Dallek, G., Biles, B., & Nicholas, L. H. (2003). Lessons from Medicare+Choice for Medicare reform. Policy Brief (Commonwealth Fund), 658, 1-17.

Peer Reviewed

1

Open Access

1