This study presents new data from a 1996 national survey of Medicare r
isk enrollees and disenrollees designed to profile access to care in M
edicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs). The findings show tha
t expanded benefits and low (or no) premiums are major features attrac
ting disabled Medicare beneficiaries into Medicare HMOs. We found that
most disabled persons enrolled in Medicare HMOs do not experience acc
ess problems. However, they are more likely than nondisabled Medicare
HMO enrollees to experience such problems. We conclude by highlighting
the importance of having information to monitor access to care for vu
lnerable subgroups such as disabled Medicare beneficiaries and to deve
lop incentives to serve them well in Medicare HMOs.