Lack of Integration Between Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits within Medicare

The project has two specific aims: 1) to characterize joint patterns of medical and prescription drug coverage
among Medicare enrollees, and 2) to examine the association between medical and prescription drug benefit
integration and a) out-of-pocket premiums, b) perceived unmet need for medical and prescription drug
services, and c) beneficiary satisfaction with coverage of medical services and prescription drugs. Aim 1 will
describe patterns of integration among Medicare beneficiaries and vulnerable subgroups (those with cancer
and chronic conditions who rely heavily on pharmacological treatment) before and after Part D
implementation, as well as assess trends over time (2007-2013). Aim 2 will analyze the effect of integration on
the specific outcomes through multivariate analysis, controlling for the potential bias associated with plan
selection. The data source will be the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) for the years 2005, 2007,
2009, 2011, and 2013.