Ethnic Disparities in Medicare Part D Satisfaction and Intention to Switch Plans. Issue 4 (8th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: You, Kai; Strawderman, Robert L.; Li, Yue
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging & social policy. Volume 29:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 297
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2017-08-08
• Subjects: Medicare Part D -- racial/ethnic disparity -- satisfaction; Older people -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.605
• DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2016.1261569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9420

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Medicare Part D has been successful in providing affordable prescription drug coverage with relatively high levels of beneficiary reported satisfaction. We use nationally representative survey data to examine whether racial/ethnic disparities exist in reported Part D satisfaction and plan evaluations. Compared to non-Hispanic White Medicare beneficiaries, Hispanic beneficiaries are considerably more likely to report to switch to a new plan in the next year and, among beneficiaries auto-enrolled in a Part D plan, are less likely to be very satisfied with the currently enrolled plan. The findings of ethnic disparities in both Medicare Part D plan satisfaction and the intent to switch plans call for future quality and equity improvement efforts to address these disparities.