title: Who failed to enroll in Medicare Part D, and why? Early results.
abstract: Early results on the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, from a survey of people age sixty-five and older who were interviewed just before enrollment started and just after it ended, indicate that Medicare has met its target of 90 percent coverage. Enrollment rates in vulnerable subpopulations-poor health, low income, or cognitive impairment-are almost high enough to offset lower rates of other coverage. However, sizable numbers of elderly people remain uncovered, contrary to their self-interest. Seniors give Part D mixed reviews, and majorities are less satisfied with Medicare and with the government as a result of their experience with this program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heiss
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McFadden
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data