Medicare Advantage in 2008 May 30, 2008 Issue Brief Medicare Advantage plans enrolled a record 9.8 million beneficiaries, more than one in five of the nation’s 44 million people on Medicare as of April 2008. That represents an increase of more than 800,000 beneficiaries in just four months, continuing a period of unprecedented growth for private plans in Medicare…
Trends in Health Care Costs and Spending March 19, 2009 Fact Sheet This fact sheet on health care costs presents key statistics about the growth, level and impact of rising U.S. health care costs. It covers spending on various medical services, sources of health spending, employer-sponsored health coverage and the impact on businesses and people. Fact Sheet (.pdf)
Retiree Health Benefits Now and In the Future – Chartpack December 31, 2003 Report This chartpack (charts used at the briefing releasing this survey), from the survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003, provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large…
Summary of Low-Income Subsidy Program in Final Medicare Bill November 30, 2003 Fact Sheet This one page document summarizes the provisions in the new Medicare law that deal with providing financial subsidies to low-income beneficiaries for their drug coverage.Issue Paper (.pdf)
Implications of the New Medicare Law for Dual Eligibles: 10 Key Questions and Answers November 30, 2003 Issue Brief Implications of the New Medicare Law for Dual Eligibles: 10 Key Questions and AnswersThis publication is designed to provide a more detailed explanation of the change in drug coverage policy for dual eligibles under the new Medicare law, as well as explore its implications for the individuals affected by it.Issue…
Global Funding for HIV/AIDS in Resource-Poor Settings November 30, 2003 Issue Brief This updated policy brief presents data on the range of resources currently directed to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource poor settings, including bilateral, multilateral, and private sector support, as well as domestic funding by affected country governments. Issue Brief (.pdf)
SCHIP Program Enrollment: June 2003 Update November 30, 2003 Report This SCHIP enrollment report finds that overall enrollment growth is slowing and enrollment declined in 13 states. It also found that some states are capping enrollment and a handful of sates are reducing eligibility and benefits under SCHIP.Report (.pdf)
Coordinating Medicaid and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage: Findings from a Focus Group Discussion with Medicaid Directors October 31, 2003 Report This publication reports on the findings from an October 26 focus group discussion with state Medicaid officials on the implications of a Medicare drug benefit for states and dual eligibles.Report (.pdf)
Oversight and Enforcement of Medicare Part D Plan Requirements: Federal Role and Responsibilities September 1, 2006 Issue Brief Oversight and Enforcement of Medicare Part D Plan Requirements: Federal Role and ResponsibilitiesThis Issue Brief was commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation to gain insights into legal advocates’ views of how federal authorities enforce compliance with requirements of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.The report was prepared by…
Beneficiary Challenges in Using the Medicare Part D Appeals Process To Obtain Medically Necessary Drugs September 1, 2006 Issue Brief This paper describes the various steps of the Medicare Part D appeals process for obtaining necessary drugs not on a plan’s formulary. Using case reports collected from a network of beneficiary advocates, it illustrates the challenges and problems some beneficiaries encountered when navigating this aspect of the drug benefit. The…