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On January 1, 2006, the six million Americans who are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid saw a change in how their prescription drugs are covered. The dual eligible population was transitioned from Medicaid into the Medicare prescription drug benefit. As a group, these beneficiaries are poorer and sicker than those on Medicare. Consequently, they have more extensive health and prescription drug needs than most Medicare beneficiaries.
These toplines include selected findings from the June 2006 Kaiser Health Poll Report Survey, a bimonthly survey designed to provide key tracking information on public opinion about health care topics. Toplines (.pdf)
This focus group of 12 state Medicaid officials conducted in November 2005 explores the current status and likely results of the Part D dual eligible transition efforts as well as other Part D-related issues of particular importance to states. It includes discussion of the transition of dual eligibles from Medicaid to Medicare drug coverage, evaluating Part D plan options, states’ role in the low-income subsidy program, the fiscal implications of Part D to states, and…
How much people should pay out-of-pocket for health care is a much-debated issue in health policy. New health insurance products with higher out-of-pocket shares are becoming more evident in the private market, and some states are considering ways to increase enrollee financial responsibility in state Medicaid programs. This paper presents information about current out-of-pocket spending by individuals with the purpose of providing context for future health policy discussions. Current proposals suggest that increasing the amount that…
The Kaiser Family Foundation held a May 18 forum to discuss the progress in providing low-income subsidies under the new drug benefit to seniors and younger Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities, and the experiences that beneficiaries who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (known as "dual enrollees") have had as their drug coverage has shifted from Medicaid to Medicare. Foundation Executive Vice President Diane Rowland moderated the forum, which also included Michael McMullan, senior advisor…
Toplines: Seniors' Early Experiences With Their New Medicare Drug Plans - June 2006 These toplines contain the detailed results from the June 2006 tracking poll on seniors' early enrollment experiences with the Medicare drug benefit. Toplines (.pdf)
Kaiser Health Poll Report Survey: Seniors' Early Experiences With Their New Medicare Drug Plans - June 2006 More than eight in 10 seniors who are enrolled in a Medicare drug plan are satisfied with their plan, although almost two in 10 say they encountered a major problem in using it, according to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation tracking survey of seniors' experiences under the new Medicare drug benefit. The survey of 1,585 seniors, including 623…
Chartpack: Seniors' Early Experiences With Their New Medicare Drug Plans - June 2006 These charts highlight key data from the June 2006 tracking poll on seniors' early enrollment experiences with the Medicare drug benefit. Chartpack (.pdf)
This snapshot summarizes the latest information and policy issues about the enrollment of dual eligibles into the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Issue Brief (.pdf)
What do you think is the most important problem in health or health care for the government to address? Is there another problem you think is almost as important for the government to address? Apr-03 COSTS (NET) 35 Cost of prescription drugs/medicines 15 Cost of health care 15 Cost of insurance/affordable insurance 7 Costs – other (incl. doctor and hospital costs) 3 Seniors’ issues (NET) 23 Senior citizens’ care/ issues (incl.…
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