This report examines the stability of dual eligibility for the seven million Americans who rely on Medicaid to fill the gaps in their Medicare coverage and its implications for Medicare's new prescription drug benefits. 

The analysis focuses on the duration of dual eligibility, the rates of gain and loss of Medicaid coverage and sources of Medicare supplementation preceding and following periods of Medicaid enrollment. The paper analyzes data from the Medicare Current Beneficiaries Surveys from 1997 to 2000 and finds that Medicaid is a very stable source of Medicare supplementation.

This report was prepared for the Foundation by Bruce Stuart and Puneet Singhal of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.

 Report