Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Medicare Analyses
The Kaiser Family Foundation's Program on Medicare Policy
Through the Program on Medicare Policy, KFF conducts research and analysis on current Medicare policy issues, monitors key trends, and produces fact sheets, resource books and reports to inform policy discussions.
Annual Medicare Part D Data Spotlights
Annually, KFF issues data spotlights focusing on a key aspect of the prescription drug plans available to Medicare beneficiaries each year through the Part D benefit.
The Budget Control Act of 2011: Implications for Medicare | September 2011
This issue brief provides an overview of the new law, describing the timeline and process for raising the debt ceiling and lowering the federal deficit. It also describes the role of the new Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, examines how Medicare spending could be affected by changes proposed by the Committee, or if that process fails, by sequestration.
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Proposed Models to Integrate Medicare/Medicaid Benefits for Duals | August 2011
This policy brief summarizes the preliminary proposals submitted by selected states for integrated care demonstrations. Proposals include the type of entity to deliver benefits, target population and enrollment, benefits package, financing, beneficiary protections, stakeholder involvement, and timeframe. These initial ideas were submitted in February 2011 when these states applied for CMS design contracts to develop comprehensive demonstration proposals.
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Raising the Age of Medicare Eligibility: A Fresh Look Following Implementation of Health Reform | March 2011
This report estimates the expected effects of raising Medicare's age of eligibility from 65 to 67 as a way of improving Medicare's solvency on the federal budget, as well as on affected seniors' out-of-pocket costs, employers, Medicaid and others in light of major changes under the 2010 health reform law.
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High Medicare Spending for Beneficiaries in Long-Term Care | October 2010
These three reports examine the relatively high use of hospital and other Medicare-covered services and the associated costs of medical care for Medicare beneficiaries who live in nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities. They also explore the potential for delivery system reforms to improve quality and reduce costs.
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Part D Plan Availability in 2011 and Key Changes Since 2006 | October 2010
This KFF Medicare Part D Spotlight provides an overview of the 2011 stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) options and key changes from prior years based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
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Follow The Pill: Understanding the U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain | March 2005
This KFF report describes the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain, following prescription drugs as they move from manufacturers, to wholesale distributors, to pharmacies, and ultimately to patients. The report describes both the physical distribution of drugs through the chain, as well as the flow of money and the financial relationships among the key players.
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