This project will examine underlying assumptions of the managed competition model as applied to the Medicare program. The model requires managing the problem of biased risk selection and creating price-elastic demand by not exceeding the lowest-cost plan s premium for the sponsor's contribution, standardizing the coverage contract, providing quality-related information to individuals, and keeping the choice of plans at the individual level. The analytical plan is to examine choices available in rural areas, potential definitions of rural market areas, and choices made by rural beneficiaries. This project provides a means to assess current competitive activities, define rural market areas, and understand what might influence rural beneficiaries' choices.

There may be products related to this project; please contact the lead researcher for more information.