Medicare advantage: Déjà vu all over again?

Authors

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

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-2004

Journal

Health Affairs

Volume

Volume W4 (suppl. Web Exclusives)

Inclusive Pages

586-587

Keywords

Medicare Part C--organization & administration; Medicare

Abstract

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 expands the role of private health plans in Medicare through prescription drug plans and a revised Medicare+Choice (M+C), renamed Medicare Advantage, program. This paper discusses the factors responsible for the failure of M+C to develop as intended in 1997 and analyzes the challenges for MMA implementation in light of these factors. They include making a complex program understandable to beneficiaries; addressing plans? efforts to avoid enrolling high-cost beneficiaries; ensuring stability of benefits, providers, and plans; dealing with beneficiaries enrolled in unsuitable plans; providing equity of health benefits throughout the country; and controlling overall Medicare costs.

APA Citation

Biles, B., Dallek, G., Nicholas, L.H. (2004). Medicare advantage: Deja vu all over again? Health Affairs, W4, 586-587.

Open Access

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