Medicare Beneficiaries Affected by Corporate Decisions - Brief Article

AORN Journal, Oct, 2000

Several health care maintenance organizations (HMOs) have notified the Health Care Financing Administration that they will not continue to participate in the Medicare program, according to a July 7, 2000, news release from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). It is estimated that approximately 700,000 beneficiaries across the United States will be affected by this decision.

"What to do if your Medicare managed plan leaves," an AARP publication, is a guide for beneficiaries whose HMO is leaving the Medicare program. This guide will help beneficiaries decide what to do if they find themselves in this situation.

According to the release, the government required notification from HMOs planning to leave Medicare by July 3, 2000. Beneficiaries must be notified in writing by HMOs of this change, but HMOs have until Oct 2, 2000, to give notification. Those affected by this change will remain covered under the original Medicare program.

"... if they [beneficiaries] want extras not covered by Medicare, they will need to find out about other locally available Medicare managed care or supplemental plans," said Deborah Banda, AARP Massachusetts state director. "AARP's publication can help guide them through this process."

What To Do If Your Medicare Managed Care Plan Leaves (news release, Boston: AARP, July 6, 2000) 1-2. Available from http://www.individual.com/fra.../story.shtml? =p0706152.300&level3=596&date=2000070. Accessed 7 July 2000.