title: Medicare HMOs: the experience of older African Americans and whites.
abstract: This exploratory study of 205 older adults with chronic illness, of whom 55 enrolled in Medicare HMOs, examined the characteristics of those who enrolled, their experiences with managed care, and the differences between African Americans and whites in these domains. HMO enrollees were more likely to report their finances as inadequate; to have a high school education or less; and to have higher levels of social support. No significant differences by race were found in enrollment or in factors related to enrollment. Enrollees joined because of low premiums, enhanced HMO benefits, and pressure from employers providing retiree health benefits. The majority of enrollees reported positive experiences, however, more whites than African Americans reported negative experiences.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lave
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smola
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000191:economics; D004493:Education; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*