Medicare reports, fact sheets and explainers from the Kaiser Family Foundation

Prescription Drug Procurement and the Federal Budget

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

This report considers areas where Medicare faces limited opportunity for market-based competition and price negotiation to drive down drug spending: drug purchasing for low-income people who face minimal cost-sharing requirements, and purchasing certain unique drugs, such as biologicals, that have no therapeutic alternatives or competitors.

Medicare Part D Spending Trends: Understanding Key Drivers and the Role of Competition

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

This brief examines the role of competition and other factors contributing to Medicare's lower-than-expected spending on prescription drugs under the Part D drug benefit. 

Talking About Medicare: Your Guide to Understanding the Program: Welcome

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This updated online consumer guide designed to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families make informed decisions about their health coverage. It reflects Medicare changes stemming from the 2010 health reform law.

The Diversity of Dual Eligible Beneficiaries: An Examination of Services and Spending for People Eligible for Both Medicaid and Medicare

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This issue brief analyzes linked Medicare and Medicaid data to examine dual eligibles' utilization and spending in both programs in 2007.

Among Dual Eligibles, Identifying The Highest Cost Individuals Could Help In Crafting More Targeted And Effective Responses

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This Health Affairs article by researchers at the Urban Institute analyzes linked Medicare and Medicaid data to examine dual eligibles' utilization and spending in both programs in 2007.

The Role of High-Income Seniors in Medicare Reforms: The Public's Perspective

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

Based on data from the February 2012 Health Tracking Poll, this data note examines at what income level the public sees seniors as 'wealthy,' and finds that the answer has a lot to do with how the question is asked.

Foundation Resources on People Dually Eligible for Medicaid and Medicare

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

About 9 million people in the United States are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, including low-income seniors and younger people with disabilities. These resources examine the dual eligible population, their health care needs and spending, and ongoing efforts to coordinate care across the two programs.

Medicare's Role for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This brief provides key information and data related to Medicare's role as primary payer for 9 million beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid. 

Medicaid's Role for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This brief provides key data and information about Medicaid's role providing supplemental coverage for 9 million Medicare beneficiaries, including state-specific enrollment and spending trends. 

How Does the Benefit Value of Medicare Compare to the Benefit Value of Typical Large Employer Plans?: A 2012 Update

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This study compares the value of Medicare's benefits with those in large employer plans and finds that Medicare remains less generous on average even after recent improvements in the program's drug coverage.

Comparison of Medicare Premium Support Proposals

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This brief provides a side-by-side comparison of recent proposals to transform Medicare into a premium support program and slow the future growth in Medicare spending.

Key Issues in Understanding the Economic and Health Security of Current and Future Generations of Seniors

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This brief examines the role of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in ensuring seniors' financial and health security as well as the challenges facing current and future generations.

Health Care on a Budget: The Financial Burden of Health Spending by Medicare Households

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This data spotlight looks at the average total share of household budgets spent on out-of-pocket health care expenses in Medicare and non-Medicare families, including the extent to which this spending varies by age and poverty level.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- February 2012

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

The February health tracking poll finds most Americans oppose Medicare premium support proposal even with a newly offered traditional Medicare option, though arguments in favor can lessen opposition. The poll also finds that among women, Democrats are twice as likely as Republicans to support a Federal requirement that health insurance plans cover contraceptives.

Income-Relating Medicare Part B and Part D Premiums Under Current Law and Recent Proposals: What are the Implications for Beneficiaries?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

This analysis examines proposals to increase the number of Medicare beneficiaries who pay income-related premiums and the amount they pay to reduce federal Medicare spending.

Medicare Quiz

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

How much do you know about Medicare, the people it serves, the benefits it covers, and its financial status? Take this interactive quiz to find out.

Pulling it Together: 2012: The ACA, and More

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser Family Foundation President Drew Altman looks ahead at the wide range of health policy issues and marketplace changes that will be in play inside and outside the Beltway in 2012.

Financial Alignment Models for Dual Eligibles: An Update

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This policy brief provides an update on financial alignment models for dual eligibles based on information in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' July 2011 State Medicaid Director letter and the responding states' letters of intent. It describes CMS's two proposed models and the planning and design process and presents key points from the states' initial expressions of potential interest in testing these models.

Medicare Advantage Plan Star Ratings and Bonus Payments in 2012

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report looks at the star ratings that have been used for many years to help consumers compare plans, and examines how Medicare Advantage quality scores will interact with plan payments, beginning in 2012. 

Medicare Advantage 2012 Spotlight: Plan Availability and Premiums

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends in the Medicare Advantage marketplace, including the choices available to Medicare beneficiaries in 2012, premium levels and other plan characteristics.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit - An Updated Fact Sheet

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This updated fact sheet includes the latest information and data about the Medicare Drug Benefit, including a breakdown of the standard benefit, enrollment data and an update on additional low-income assistance.

Medicare at a Glance - Fact Sheet

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This fact sheet provides a basic overview of the Medicare program, including how it is financed, who is eligible and what benefits are covered under the program. In addition, it describes supplemental health insurance, benefits provided by the new drug law and data on Medicare expenditures and financing. 

Medicare Advantage Fact Sheet

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This updated fact sheet provides an overview of the Medicare Advantage program, describes program changes made by the new drug law in plan participation and beneficiary enrollment, presents data on benefits and premiums, and explains changes in Medicare payments to participating plans.

Resources on Deficit-Reduction Plans

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This resource page features comparisons of the Medicare and Medicaid elements of major deficit-reduction plans, analyses of specific savings proposals, and relevant explanatory briefs.

Restructuring Medicare’s Benefit Design: Implications for Beneficiaries and Spending

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

The study projects how revamping Medicare's cost-sharing requirements to reduce federal spending could affect Medicare beneficiaries and the federal budget.

The Ups and Downs of Medicare Part B Premiums: Frequently Asked Questions

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This brief examines how Medicare Part B premiums for many beneficiaries are affected by the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits.  Based on the most recent projections from the Medicare and Social Security Trustees, the brief examines the interactions between the two programs that resulted in some Medicare beneficiaries paying significantly higher Part B premiums in 2010 and 2011 when there was no Social Security COLA, followed by a drop in premiums in 2012. 

Medicare Part D Data Spotlight: A First Look at Part D Plan Offerings in 2012

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

This data spotlight examines the stand-alone Part D drug plan options available to Medicare beneficiaries in the coming year.

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Availability in 2012

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

This fact sheet contains 2012 state-specific summary data about available Medicare drug benefit options.

Inside Deficit Reduction: What It Means for Medicare

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Proposals to generate Medicare savings abound, from the various commissions recommending change, members of Congress and others. Which proposals will, or should, receive serious consideration by the congressional super committee in its quest to find $1.2 trillion or more in savings by its November 23 deadline? What impact would these changes have on beneficiaries, providers and insurers? Would stakeholders prefer the automatic, but capped, Medicare reductions in the sequester rather than any recommendations on Medicare that the super committee might make? This briefing addressed these questions and more. Cosponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform, The Commonwealth Fund, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The SCAN Foundation.

2011 Medicare Part D Data Spotlights

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

This collection of spotlights analyze the Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plan options available to seniors for calendar year 2011.

Medicare 2011 Part D Data Spotlight: Analysis of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in 2011 and Key Trends Since 2006

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report presents findings from an analysis of the Medicare Part D marketplace in 2011 and changes in drug coverage and costs since 2006.

Medigap Reform: Setting the Context

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This issue brief examines the characteristics of the one-in-five Medicare beneficiaries with Medigap coverage and the current state of the Medigap market, with new national and state-level data on Medigap enrollment and average premiums, by plan type. The brief focuses especially on Medigap plans C and F, which provide first dollar coverage, with full payment for both Part A and Part B deductibles and other cost-sharing requirements.

Comparison of Medicare Provisions in Deficit and Debt Reduction Proposals

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

With major changes to Medicare being considered as part of broader deficit and debt-reduction plans, the Foundation has prepared a side-by-side comparing the Medicare provisions in key reports and proposals.

Inside Deficit Reduction: What it Means for Health Care

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

After much heated debate on the U.S. debt limit, the Budget Control Act of 2011 was passed on August 2, 2011, containing more than $900 billion in federal spending reductions over 10 years. The law also established the 12-person “super committee” charged with finding more than $1 trillion in additional savings. What exactly is called for in the law? What are the implications for health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? This briefing addressed these and related questions.

Medicare Advantage 2011 Data Spotlight: Special Needs Plans: Availability and Enrollment

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This Medicare Advantage data spotlight examines Special Needs Plans, which account for a small share of enrollment but are seen by some policymakers as a way to address coordination of care and costs issues for beneficiaries enrolled in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Firm Perspectives on the Medicare Advantage Market

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This issue brief examines the views of insurers about opportunities and issues in the Medicare Advantage marketplace.

Medicare Advantage 2011 Data Spotlight: Medicare Advantage Enrollment Market Update

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This data spotlight examines enrollment trends in Medicare Advantage plans in 2011.

2011 Medicare Advantage Data Spotlights

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

2011 Medicare Advantage Data Spotlights

Understanding The Effects of The Medicare Part D Coverage Gap in 2008 and 2009

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report analyzes actual drug claims to assess how Medicare beneficiaries are affected by the drug benefit's coverage gap, or "doughnut hole," before the 2010 health reform law began to close the gap.

Medicare Part D 2011 Data Spotlight: The Coverage gap

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This data spotlight examines the availability of gap coverage in the private Medicare Part D drug plans offered to beneficiaries in 2011, the first year of the phase-out of the gap, as required under the 2010 health reform law.  The changes for 2011 include a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs purchased during the gap in coverage, reducing an enrollee’s potential out-of-pocket costs in the gap from about $3,600 to $1,800.

The Budget Control Act of 2011: Implications for Medicare

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This brief examines how the Budget Control Act of 2011, and the process it creates for reducing the federal deficit over the next decade, could affect the Medicare program.

Medicare Spending and Financing Fact Sheet

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

This updated fact sheet provides an overview of spending on the Medicare program and how the program is financed.  It includes the latest available data on Medicare financing and incorporates reductions in the rate of growth of Medicare spending attributable to the 2010 health reform law, including an updated estimate showing the law will extend the solvency of the Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance Trust Fund until 2029.

Proposed Models to Integrate Medicare and Medicaid Benefits for Dual Eligibles: A Look at the 15 State Design Contracts Funded By CMS

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

This policy brief summarizes 15 states' preliminary proposals to better coordinate care for people who are in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Pulling It Together: Are We Headed for a Government Takeover of Health Care?

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

In his latest column, Kaiser President Drew Altman looks at what the new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Actuary says about a “government takeover of the health care system”.

Medigap Reforms: Potential Effects of Benefit Restrictions on Medicare Spending and Beneficiary Costs

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

This analysis commissioned by the Foundation examines the potential effects of three Medigap reform options, which would prohibit these supplemental insurance plans from covering all of enrollee’s out-of-pocket Medicare costs.

Raising the Age of Medicare Eligibility: A Fresh Look Following Implementation of Health Reform

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

This report analyzes the expected impact of raising Medicare's eligibility age to 67 on the federal budget, seniors, employers and others in light of health reform.  It is the first in a series examining the potential impact of Medicare changes.

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll -- June 2011

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

The June Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds a plurality of Americans (45%) say they would support minor reductions to current levels of Medicare spending, but fewer than one in five (18%) support major reductions for this purpose. As the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination gets underway, the economy and jobs dominate the list of issues voters say they want to hear about from candidates (60%), with health care ranking a distant second (26%).

Making Ends Meet: The Medicare Generation

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

This documentary profiles the experiences of three Medicare families trying to pay for their health care costs with other household spending.

The Role of Medicare and Beneficiaries in the Deficit-Reduction Debate

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

This briefing examined how Medicare reform options now under consideration might work and their implications for beneficiaries and taxpayers.  The discussion featured a new report and video profiling Medicare households and their budgets and a discussion with two former Medicare administrators.

Living Close to the Edge: Financial Challenges and Tradeoffs for People on Medicare

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

The report profiles 16 Medicare families, including a detailed look at their household budgets as they try to pay for their health care and other living expenses on a fixed budget. It was released at a Kaiser briefing examining Medicare and the debt-reduction debate.