Fixing Flaws In Medicare Drug Coverage That Prompt Insurers To Avoid Low-Income Patients

Medicare Part D: Are Insurers Gaming the Low Income Subsidy Design?

This paper shows how in Medicare Part D insurers' gaming of the subsidy paid to low-income enrollees distorts premiums and raises the program cost. Using plan-level data from the first five years of the program, I find multiple instances of pricing strategy distortions for the largest insurers. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that the changes in a concentration index measuring the mani...

The Medicare drug benefit: update on the low-income subsidy.

The Medicare drug benefit (Medicare "Part D"), provides federal subsidies to pay premiums and cost sharing for low-income beneficiaries--almost 10 million in 2009. Yet there are several policy issues concerning these low-income beneficiaries under Part D. First, over 2 million individuals who may qualify for the subsidies have not enrolled. Second, in some states, low-income beneficiaries have ...

Ensuring Access to Affordable Drug Coverage in Medicare

The long-awaited outpatient prescription drug benefit in Medicare began January 2006. Despite its importance, the drug benefit is controversial. Instead of paying directly for prescriptions, the program will operate through competing private plans. Although it is too early to assess the full impact of Part D on beneficiaries, health plans and providers, employers, and taxpayers, we can discuss ...

Medicare. Part D: Prescription drug coverage.

Providing Prescription Drug Coverage for Medicare Beneficiaries