Medicare Advantage (MA)

Publications

Listed by publication date. You can also view these publications alphabetically.

2011

Rural Medicare Advantage 2011: Enrollment Trends and Plan Characteristics
Date: 10 / 2011
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Abigail Barker, Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
This paper report findings from analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data to examine the trends and geographic variations in Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollment, premiums and market concentration by firm. MA enrollment in rural areas remains strong and continues to grow in 2011, despite the recent shift in enrollment from private fee-for-service plans to preferred provider organization plans. The data presented in this policy brief provide an overview of the Medicare Advantage program in rural America and highlight key rural/urban differences within the program.
June 2011: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update
Date: 09 / 2011
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Abigail Barker, Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Shows increases in enrollment into Medicare Advantage plans in rural America. The enrollment is concentrated in plans offered by three firms, especially in the types of plans with high rural enrollment which are preferred provider organizations and private fee-for-service plans.
March 2011: Growth in PPOs Dominates the Rural MA Market in 2011
Date: 04 / 2011
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: Brief No. 2011-3
From March 2010 to March 2011, rural Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in preferred provider organization plans grew from 28% (396,006 enrollees) to 46% (702,315 enrollees) of total enrollment, while rural MA enrollment in private-fee-for-service plans fell from 38% (530,678 enrollees) to 16% (249,499 enrollees).

2010

September 2010: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update
Date: 11 / 2010
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: No. 2010-6
Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans grew to nearly 1.5 million enrollees in September 2010 (15% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries), while national MA enrollment grew to over 11.5 million (25%). Rural Medicare beneficiaries will find fewer options for MA health insurance coverage in 2011- an average of 16 MA plans to choose from, compared with 24 plans on average in 2010.
Rural Medicare Advantage: Modest Enrollment Growth in 2010
Date: 08 / 2010
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS)
Despite a slight drop in enrollment and a dramatic shift in the landscape of the rural Medicare Advantage (MA) market in early 2010, MA plans have experienced modest growth in enrollment in rural areas over the last two quarters of 2010. The majority of the growth is concentrated in preferred provider organization plans, counteracting a decline in private fee-for-service plan enrollment.
February 2010: A Dramatic Shift Away from Private Fee-for-Service Plans in Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment
Date: 03 / 2010
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, M. Katherine Stone, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Pharmacy and prescription drugs
Report Number: 2010-3
In a reversal of recent trends, private fee-for-service (PFFS) enrollment fell dramatically in rural areas in early 2010. As a result, Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in rural areas (excluding other prepaid plans) fell slightly in early 2010 for the first time in years. Nationwide, enrollment in preferred provider organization and health maintenance organization plans grew, offsetting the decline in PFFS enrollment and contributing to a slight growth in total MA enrollment in 2010.
December 2009: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grows 15% in 2009
Date: 01 / 2010
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: 2010-1
Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) and other prepaid plans grew by 15% from December 2008 to December 2009, faster than the 10% national growth rate. Preferred provider organization plans drove the increased enrollment in MA plans in rural areas in 2009, while private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans continued to dominate the market with over 50% of enrollment. This landscape could change in 2010 as rural Medicare beneficiaries will experience a decline in PFFS availability, as some insurers have announced plans to pull their PFFS plans from the market.

2009

July 2009: Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Continues to Grow
Date: 08 / 2009
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS)
Report Number: 2009-8
Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage continues to grow, with growth in the last 18 months led by the growth of preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Despite the growth in PPO plans, private fee-for-service plans continue to dominate enrollment in rural areas and have accounted for much of the program's growth since 2005.
April 2009 Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth in PPOs Outpacing Growth in PFFS
Date: 05 / 2009
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D
Report Number: 2009-4
Private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans dominate enrollment in rural areas and have accounted for much of the program's expansion since 2005. However, from December 2008 through April 2009 enrollment growth of preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, both nationally and in rural areas, was double the enrollment growth of PFFS plans.
Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth Slows in 2008
Date: 03 / 2009
Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: 2009-1
The rate of growth of enrollment in the Medicare Advantage program decreased significantly in 2008, compared to previous years. In addition, the growth rate in preferred provider organization plans in rural areas now exceeds that in private fee-for-service plans. This policy brief updates earlier findings from analysis of the MA program reported by the RUPRI Center.

2008

Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Continues to Grow Rapidly in 2008, Led by Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Date: 08 / 2008
Author(s): Yolonda Y. Campbell, Timothy D. McBride, and Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: Brief No. 2008-3
Enrollment of rural beneficiaries into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans has more than quadrupled since the inception of the MA program at the beginning of 2006 and increased 35% in the last year. However, as a percent of all beneficiaries, the enrollment rate in rural areas remains well below the national enrollment rate. The tremendous growth in rural MA plans over the past two and a half years is mostly attributed to the spread of private fee-for-service plans across the country, which now account for 58% of rural Medicare eligibles. This policy brief provides findings about enrollment in the MA program in rural areas and across the United States and updates findings from analysis of the MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs. Funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy: Cooperative Agreement for Rapid Response to Issue-Specific Rural Research
Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in Rural America (Policy Brief)
Date: 07 / 2008
Author(s): Donald Klepser, Liyan Xu, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D, Pharmacy and prescription drugs
Report Number: 2008-2
The purpose of this policy brief is to provide policy makers, researchers, and stakeholders with information about the closure of rural independently owned pharmacies, including pharmacies that are the sole source of access to local pharmacy services, from 2003 to 2008. This period coincides with the implementation of two major policies related to payment for prescription medications: Medicare prescription drug discount cards were introduced on January 1, 2004, and the Medicare prescription drug benefit began on January 1, 2006. In this brief, we focus on rural pharmacy closure because of the potential threat such closures present to access to any local pharmacy services in a community. Funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy: Cooperative Agreement for Rapid Response to Issue-Specific Rural Research
Critical Access Hospitals' Experience with Medicare Advantage Plans
Date: 03 / 2008
Research centers: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis , Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, Hospitals and clinics, Medicare Advantage (MA)
This report details findings from a survey of 60 critical access hospital (CAH) administrators regarding their experiences with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Findings from this research identify concerns of CAH administrators that, as the MA program evolves, may be addressed through technical assistance and changes in regulation or legislation.

2007

State Updates on Medicare Advantage Enrollment
Date: 12 / 2007
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Rural statistics and demographics
Contains reports for each state with the number of persons enrolled in Medicare Advantage and prepaid plans in December 2005 and September 2007 in rural and urban areas.
Update on Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth Continues
Date: 10 / 2007
Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: Rural Policy Brief No. 2007-7
Provides findings about rural enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and other pre-paid plans, with state and national data. Updates early findings from analysis of the Medicare+Choice/MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs. Detailed data about MA enrollment and plans are available at: http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-7%20Tables%20110507.pdf.
Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Growing Rapidly in 2007, Especially in Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Date: 07 / 2007
Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Tanchica L. Terry, Keith J. Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: Rural Policy Brief Vol. 12, No. 3 (PB2007-3 )
Provides findings about enrollment in the newly designed Medicare Advantage (MA) program in rural and urban areas, with state and national data. Updates early findings from analysis of the Medicare+Choice/MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs.
Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Is Concentrated in Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Date: 04 / 2007
Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Tanchica L. Terry, Keith J. Mueller
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA)
Report Number: Rural Policy Brief Vol. 12, No. 2 (PB2007-2 )
Provides findings about enrollment in the newly designed Medicare Advantage (MA) program in rural and urban areas. Includes rural and urban data on enrollment in Medicare Advantage and other pre-paid plans by type of plan. Also provides state-level information on MA enrollment.

2005

Contracting with Medicare Advantage Plans: A Brief for Critical Access Hospital Administrators
Date: 12 / 2005
Author(s): Michelle Mason, Roslyn Fraser-Maginn, Keith Mueller, Jennifer King, Andrea Radford, Rebecca Slifkin, Jennifer Lenardson, Lauren Silver, Curt Mueller
Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center , Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis , Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Topics: Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Summarizes the experience of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators with contracts offered by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Telephone surveys were conducted with CAH administrators across the country to learn about their experiences with MA plans. This brief includes information about the contract terms administrators have been offered, their experiences negotiating with MA plans, and their advice for others dealing with this issue.
Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program: A Model for Competition in Rural America?
Date: 2005
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Timothy D. McBride, Courtney Andrews, Roslyn Fraser, Liyan Xu
Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Topics: Health insurance and the uninsured, Medicare Advantage (MA)
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 21(2), 105-113
Tests the hypothesis that the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) has fostered an environment of competing health plans, especially preferred provider organizations (PPOs), in rural areas. There is a strong relationship between the number of FEHBP plans and areas with high population counts and high population density. In many counties with low population counts (under 3,000), most PPOs are not contracting with the nearest primary care provider. The authors conclude that the FEHBP is not a perfect predictor of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan activity because the MA program does not use the FEHBP approach of certifying regional plans that must offer local access. However, the FEHBP experience indicates that plans are attracted to areas with high population counts and high population density.

Topics Centers Researchers Other Resources Search		Medicare Advantage (MA) Publications Listed by publication date. You can also view these publications alphabetically. 2011 Rural Medicare Advantage 2011: Enrollment Trends and Plan Characteristics Date: 10 / 2011 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Abigail Barker, Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) This paper report findings from analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data to examine the trends and geographic variations in Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollment, premiums and market concentration by firm. MA enrollment in rural areas remains strong and continues to grow in 2011, despite the recent shift in enrollment from private fee-for-service plans to preferred provider organization plans. The data presented in this policy brief provide an overview of the Medicare Advantage program in rural America and highlight key rural/urban differences within the program. June 2011: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update Date: 09 / 2011 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Abigail Barker, Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Shows increases in enrollment into Medicare Advantage plans in rural America. The enrollment is concentrated in plans offered by three firms, especially in the types of plans with high rural enrollment which are preferred provider organizations and private fee-for-service plans. March 2011: Growth in PPOs Dominates the Rural MA Market in 2011 Date: 04 / 2011 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: Brief No. 2011-3 From March 2010 to March 2011, rural Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in preferred provider organization plans grew from 28% (396,006 enrollees) to 46% (702,315 enrollees) of total enrollment, while rural MA enrollment in private-fee-for-service plans fell from 38% (530,678 enrollees) to 16% (249,499 enrollees). 2010 September 2010: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update Date: 11 / 2010 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Lisa Pollack, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: No. 2010-6 Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans grew to nearly 1.5 million enrollees in September 2010 (15% of eligible Medicare beneficiaries), while national MA enrollment grew to over 11.5 million (25%). Rural Medicare beneficiaries will find fewer options for MA health insurance coverage in 2011- an average of 16 MA plans to choose from, compared with 24 plans on average in 2010. Rural Medicare Advantage: Modest Enrollment Growth in 2010 Date: 08 / 2010 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) Despite a slight drop in enrollment and a dramatic shift in the landscape of the rural Medicare Advantage (MA) market in early 2010, MA plans have experienced modest growth in enrollment in rural areas over the last two quarters of 2010. The majority of the growth is concentrated in preferred provider organization plans, counteracting a decline in private fee-for-service plan enrollment. February 2010: A Dramatic Shift Away from Private Fee-for-Service Plans in Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Date: 03 / 2010 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, M. Katherine Stone, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Pharmacy and prescription drugs Report Number: 2010-3 In a reversal of recent trends, private fee-for-service (PFFS) enrollment fell dramatically in rural areas in early 2010. As a result, Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in rural areas (excluding other prepaid plans) fell slightly in early 2010 for the first time in years. Nationwide, enrollment in preferred provider organization and health maintenance organization plans grew, offsetting the decline in PFFS enrollment and contributing to a slight growth in total MA enrollment in 2010. December 2009: Rural Medicare Advantage Enrollment Grows 15% in 2009 Date: 01 / 2010 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: 2010-1 Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) and other prepaid plans grew by 15% from December 2008 to December 2009, faster than the 10% national growth rate. Preferred provider organization plans drove the increased enrollment in MA plans in rural areas in 2009, while private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans continued to dominate the market with over 50% of enrollment. This landscape could change in 2010 as rural Medicare beneficiaries will experience a decline in PFFS availability, as some insurers have announced plans to pull their PFFS plans from the market. 2009 July 2009: Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Continues to Grow Date: 08 / 2009 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) Report Number: 2009-8 Rural enrollment in Medicare Advantage continues to grow, with growth in the last 18 months led by the growth of preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Despite the growth in PPO plans, private fee-for-service plans continue to dominate enrollment in rural areas and have accounted for much of the program's growth since 2005. April 2009 Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth in PPOs Outpacing Growth in PFFS Date: 05 / 2009 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D Report Number: 2009-4 Private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans dominate enrollment in rural areas and have accounted for much of the program's expansion since 2005. However, from December 2008 through April 2009 enrollment growth of preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, both nationally and in rural areas, was double the enrollment growth of PFFS plans. Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth Slows in 2008 Date: 03 / 2009 Author(s): Leah Kemper, Timothy D. McBride, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: 2009-1 The rate of growth of enrollment in the Medicare Advantage program decreased significantly in 2008, compared to previous years. In addition, the growth rate in preferred provider organization plans in rural areas now exceeds that in private fee-for-service plans. This policy brief updates earlier findings from analysis of the MA program reported by the RUPRI Center. 2008 Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Continues to Grow Rapidly in 2008, Led by Private Fee-for-Service Plans Date: 08 / 2008 Author(s): Yolonda Y. Campbell, Timothy D. McBride, and Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: Brief No. 2008-3 Enrollment of rural beneficiaries into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans has more than quadrupled since the inception of the MA program at the beginning of 2006 and increased 35% in the last year. However, as a percent of all beneficiaries, the enrollment rate in rural areas remains well below the national enrollment rate. The tremendous growth in rural MA plans over the past two and a half years is mostly attributed to the spread of private fee-for-service plans across the country, which now account for 58% of rural Medicare eligibles. This policy brief provides findings about enrollment in the MA program in rural areas and across the United States and updates findings from analysis of the MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs. Funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy: Cooperative Agreement for Rapid Response to Issue-Specific Rural Research Independently Owned Pharmacy Closures in Rural America (Policy Brief) Date: 07 / 2008 Author(s): Donald Klepser, Liyan Xu, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Medicare Part D, Pharmacy and prescription drugs Report Number: 2008-2 The purpose of this policy brief is to provide policy makers, researchers, and stakeholders with information about the closure of rural independently owned pharmacies, including pharmacies that are the sole source of access to local pharmacy services, from 2003 to 2008. This period coincides with the implementation of two major policies related to payment for prescription medications: Medicare prescription drug discount cards were introduced on January 1, 2004, and the Medicare prescription drug benefit began on January 1, 2006. In this brief, we focus on rural pharmacy closure because of the potential threat such closures present to access to any local pharmacy services in a community. Funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy: Cooperative Agreement for Rapid Response to Issue-Specific Rural Research Critical Access Hospitals' Experience with Medicare Advantage Plans Date: 03 / 2008 Research centers: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis , Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis Topics: Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, Hospitals and clinics, Medicare Advantage (MA) This report details findings from a survey of 60 critical access hospital (CAH) administrators regarding their experiences with Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Findings from this research identify concerns of CAH administrators that, as the MA program evolves, may be addressed through technical assistance and changes in regulation or legislation. 2007 State Updates on Medicare Advantage Enrollment Date: 12 / 2007 Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Medicare Advantage (MA), Rural statistics and demographics Contains reports for each state with the number of persons enrolled in Medicare Advantage and prepaid plans in December 2005 and September 2007 in rural and urban areas. Update on Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage: Growth Continues Date: 10 / 2007 Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Keith J. Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: Rural Policy Brief No. 2007-7 Provides findings about rural enrollment in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program and other pre-paid plans, with state and national data. Updates early findings from analysis of the Medicare+Choice/MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs. Detailed data about MA enrollment and plans are available at: http://www.unmc.edu/ruprihealth/Pubs/PB2007-7%20Tables%20110507.pdf. Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Growing Rapidly in 2007, Especially in Private Fee-for-Service Plans Date: 07 / 2007 Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Tanchica L. Terry, Keith J. Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: Rural Policy Brief Vol. 12, No. 3 (PB2007-3 ) Provides findings about enrollment in the newly designed Medicare Advantage (MA) program in rural and urban areas, with state and national data. Updates early findings from analysis of the Medicare+Choice/MA program presented in previous RUPRI Center policy briefs. Rural Enrollment in Medicare Advantage Is Concentrated in Private Fee-for-Service Plans Date: 04 / 2007 Author(s): Timothy D. McBride, Tanchica L. Terry, Keith J. Mueller Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topic: Medicare Advantage (MA) Report Number: Rural Policy Brief Vol. 12, No. 2 (PB2007-2 ) Provides findings about enrollment in the newly designed Medicare Advantage (MA) program in rural and urban areas. Includes rural and urban data on enrollment in Medicare Advantage and other pre-paid plans by type of plan. Also provides state-level information on MA enrollment. 2005 Contracting with Medicare Advantage Plans: A Brief for Critical Access Hospital Administrators Date: 12 / 2005 Author(s): Michelle Mason, Roslyn Fraser-Maginn, Keith Mueller, Jennifer King, Andrea Radford, Rebecca Slifkin, Jennifer Lenardson, Lauren Silver, Curt Mueller Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center , Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis , Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis Topics: Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, Medicare Advantage (MA) Summarizes the experience of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators with contracts offered by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Telephone surveys were conducted with CAH administrators across the country to learn about their experiences with MA plans. This brief includes information about the contract terms administrators have been offered, their experiences negotiating with MA plans, and their advice for others dealing with this issue. Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program: A Model for Competition in Rural America? Date: 2005 Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Timothy D. McBride, Courtney Andrews, Roslyn Fraser, Liyan Xu Research center: Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis Topics: Health insurance and the uninsured, Medicare Advantage (MA) Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 21(2), 105-113 Tests the hypothesis that the Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) has fostered an environment of competing health plans, especially preferred provider organizations (PPOs), in rural areas. There is a strong relationship between the number of FEHBP plans and areas with high population counts and high population density. In many counties with low population counts (under 3,000), most PPOs are not contracting with the nearest primary care provider. The authors conclude that the FEHBP is not a perfect predictor of Medicare Advantage (MA) plan activity because the MA program does not use the FEHBP approach of certifying regional plans that must offer local access. However, the FEHBP experience indicates that plans are attracted to areas with high population counts and high population density. Related Topics These related topics also list publications: Medicare (90 items)

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