PPI Reports on Medicare
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A First Look at How Medicare Advantage Benefits and Premiums in Individual Enrollment Plans are Changing from 2008 to 2009
Between 2008 and 2009, the number of Medicare Advantage plans increased slightly and cost sharing varied substantially across plans. This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Marsha Gold and Maria Cupples Hudson of Mathematica Policy Research analyzes data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (16 pages)
March 9, 2009
By: Marsha Gold, Sc.D., Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.; Maria Cupples Hudson, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Integrating Medicare and Medicaid: State Experience with Dual Eligible Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans
This AARP Public Policy Institute research report explores the experiences of Minnesota, New Mexico, and New York in ontracting with Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) to provide integrated Medicare-Medicaid services, including Medicaid long-term care services, for dually eligible consumers. (41 pages)
November 13, 2008
By: Barbara Coulter Edwards, Susan Tucker and Brenda Klutz, Health Management Associates, Lynda Flowers, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP.org
Medicare Beneficiaries' Out-of-Pocket Spending for Health Care Services
Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket spending for health care services is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues and chart pack by Lynn Nonnemaker and Shelly-Ann Sinclair. Beneficiaries spent an average of $4,394 of their own money on health care services in 2005--about a third of their income. (10 pages)
September 9, 2009
By: Lynn Nonnemaker and Shelly-Ann Sinclair, AARP Public Policy Institute
Physician Payment Reform in Medicare In Brief
Ways to improve Medicare payments to physicians currently being tested, as well as lessons from abroad, are examined in this brief synopsis of the AARP Public Policy Institute research report, Physician Payment: Current System and Opportunities for Reform, written by Lynn Nonnemaker, Sarah Thomas, and Joyce Dubow. (2 pages)
June 9, 2009
By: K. Lynn Nonnemaker, AARP Public Policy Institute; Sarah Thomas, AARP Public Policy Institute; Joyce Dubow, AARP Policy and Strategy | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
A Medicare Buy-in Program In Brief
Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this brief synopsis of an AARP Public Policy Institute research report of the same name by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (2 pages)
June 15, 2009
By: Gerry Smolka, AARP Public Policy Institute; Sarah Thomas, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
A Medicare Buy-in Program
Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (14 pages)
June 15, 2009
By: Gerry Smolka, AARP Public Policy Institute; Sarah Thomas, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Biologics in Perspective: The Case for Generic Biologic Drugs
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Leigh Purvis discusses the growing need for generic biologic drugs. (2 pages)
May 21, 2009
By: Leigh Purvis, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Closing a Gap in Medicare Drug Coverage: How to Help Millions of Beneficiaries Afford Needed Medication
This AARP Public Policy Fact Sheet by Lee Rucker and Leigh Purvis explains the gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage known as the “doughnut hole,” discusses how it impacts beneficiaries, and presents options for closing the gap. (3 pages)
May 18, 2009
By: AARP Public Policy Institute
An Illustrative Analysis of Medicare Options Compare: What’s There and What’s Not?
This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Marsha Gold of Mathematica Policy Research assesses Medicare Options Compare, a web site maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help beneficiaries choose among available Medicare Advantage plans. (16 pages)
April 20, 2009
By: Marsha Gold, Sc.D., Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Physician Payment: Current System and Opportunities for Reform
This AARP Public Policy Institute research report by Lynn Nonnemaker, Sarah Thomas, and Joyce Dubow examines ways to improve the physician payment system, with a focus on Medicare. Key problems with the current system are explored, along with ideas for reform, including several international models of payment. (31 pages)
April 30, 2009
By: K. Lynn Nonnemaker, AARP Public Policy Institute; Sarah Thomas, AARP Public Policy Institute; Joyce Dubow, AARP Policy and Strategy | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Solutions Forums
Saving Jobs in A Recession: How Work Sharing Can Help
Seventeen states have programs that use unemployment funds to keep workers on the job with reduced hours. Learn how federal and state policy can better promote these work-sharing programs--and how several European nations have implemented work-sharing.
The Auto IRA: Strategies for Successful Implementation
Experts from the US and abroad discussed how an Auto-IRA can improve retirement security; lessons from similar programs in New Zealand and the UK; and how the Auto-IRA can work well for workers, small business and the financial industry.
Protecting Your Home, Car and Investment Savings: How to Stop Financial Fraud
How fraud impacts financial security, especially for older Americans—and discussion of policy options for combating mortgage, auto sales and investment scams. Luncheon speaker SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro discussed the Commission’s priorities on financial fraud.
Getting it Right: Smart Housing and Transportation Planning for Livable Communities
This forum featured release of new research on preserving subsidized housing near transit and discussion of how to coordinate housing, transportation and land use policy to develop livable communities.
What Happened to My Social Security COLA?
Why no COLA is expected for 2010 and how this affects individuals and the states. Panelists include experts from the Social Security Administration, AARP, the National Governors Association and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A New Look at Making Financial Decisions for Retirement
PPI released a series of new reports offering a fresh look at financial decisions related to retirement. Experts examined why many people make poor choices and explore how to improve the options available to retirees.
Fixing Chronic Care in America
National experts discussed problems facing millions of Americans with multiple chronic conditions, and explored potential solutions highlighted in a new PPI publication, Chronic Care: a Call to Action for Health Reform and in a new video Faces of Chronic Care.
AARP Public Policies
Learn about the policy development process at AARP. For a complete guide to AARP's positions on public issues, see The Policy Book, AARP Public Policies 2009-2010.
Center to Champion Nursing in America
The Center to Champion Nursing in America seeks to ensure Americans have the highly skilled nurses we need to provide affordable, quality health care. The Center serves as a consumer-driven, national force to increase the nation’s capacity to educate and retain nurses.
