Voices of Beneficiaries: Early Experiences with the Medicare Drug Benefit


 

Publication Date: April 2006

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: Maryland California Nebraska Florida

Abstract:

The Medicare Modernization Act established a voluntary prescription drug benefit for Medicare’s elderly and disabled beneficiaries provided by private plans that is open to all beneficiaries.

This paper focuses on the decision-making process and the factors that influence decisions about Medicare drug plans, as well as beneficiaries’ early experiences and future concerns related to their prescription drug coverage. It is based on in-depth interviews held in March 2006 with diverse beneficiaries in four cities: Baltimore; Lincoln, Neb.; Miami; and Sacramento, Calif.