The Medicare drug benefit that Congress created in 2003 aims to provide more private plan options for senior and disabled beneficiaries in Medicare, with increased payments to attract sponsors and to support added benefits attractive to enrollees, especially in rural areas. The effects of these...

This fact sheet, the second in a series from Mathematica's study of the insurance decisions made by Medicare beneficiaries, looks at MCO penetration and payment rates, choice of plans, premium increases, market disparities, and availability of pharmacy benefits.

Distributed by the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation. Call (800) 656-4533 for copies.

Based on case studies in seven states, examines three critical questions about Medicaid managed care: 1) Does experience with it facilitate program operations? 2) Can it deliver on important goals? 3) Can states extend it beyond low-income families and children to others? Notes that it may be a...

Updates a 1996 case study of Medicaid managed care initiatives in Texas, finding that the state has made progress in rolling out its program, but the conversion has taken longer than expected. Furthermore, major issues have arisen in each county, partly because of the uniqueness of each local...

Examines the following: —Does Medicare spending vary geographically? —How much of the variation is due to differences in population mix and prices across areas? —What explains the remaining variation? —Do people in higher spending areas get better care?