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Medicare HMOs Increase Premiums, Decrease Benefits

Wed, 12/06/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

Seniors in most major markets will incur significant increases in 2001 for out-of-pocket costs due to Medicare HMO benefit reductions, particularly for prescription drugs, and increases in both copayments and monthly premiums. HealthMetrix Research Inc., an independent managed care research firm, has released its 2001 Medicare HMO CostShare Report comparisons that estimate annual out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in Medicare HMOs in 52 major markets across 24 states for premiums and benefits effective January 1, 2001. They report that healthy seniors in Medicare HMOs will see out-of-pocket cost increases as high as 200% in Boston, and 100% in Houston and Philadelphia.

HealthMetrix comparisons are estimates of the annual out-of-pocket costs for Medicare HMO enrollees based on projected health status examples ? GOOD, FAIR, or POOR health. The findings can be used to identify which plan(s) may be the most favorable in lowering your health care costs. The findings also identify how much your health care costs may increase as your health status declines and your utilization of health care services increases. People who visit the site can compare the costs of the specific Medicare HMO plans in the 52 major markets that HealthMetrix tracks.

Seniors in most major markets will incur significant increases in 2001 for out-of-pocket costs due to Medicare HMO benefit reductions, particularly for prescription drugs, and increases in both copayments and monthly premiums. HealthMetrix Research Inc., an independent managed care research firm, has released its 2001 Medicare HMO CostShare Report comparisons that estimate annual out-of-pocket costs for seniors enrolled in Medicare HMOs in 52 major markets across 24 states for premiums and benefits effective January 1, 2001. They report that healthy seniors in Medicare HMOs will see out-of-pocket cost increases as high as 200% in Boston, and 100% in Houston and Philadelphia.

HealthMetrix comparisons are estimates of the annual out-of-pocket costs for Medicare HMO enrollees based on projected health status examples ? GOOD, FAIR, or POOR health. The findings can be used to identify which plan(s) may be the most favorable in lowering your health care costs. The findings also identify how much your health care costs may increase as your health status declines and your utilization of health care services increases. People who visit the site can compare the costs of the specific Medicare HMO plans in the 52 major markets that HealthMetrix tracks.