DISABLED MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES IN HMOS

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.