Number: RL33300
Title: Standardized Choices: Medigap Lessons for Medicare Part D
Authors: Jim Hahn, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-173, known as "MMA") created a new Medicare outpatient prescription drug benefit. With the rollout of the full benefit in January 2006, beneficiaries face a large number of choices from numerous insurers offering multiple plans with different benefits. A similarly complex array of choices in the private supplemental Medicare insurance (Medigap) market was one of the factors leading to the Medigap provisions in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-508, OBRA 90) and the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994 (P.L. 103-432, SSAA 94). This report highlights the lessons learned from the Medigap experience and how they might provide insight into the current Medicare Part D market.
Pages: 14
Date: March 8, 2006