Grantee Institution:
University of Maryland at Baltimore
How will future beneficiaries fare under the proposed Medicare prescription drug benefit programs? This research used the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) for 1997 – 2001 to identify gaps in pharmaceutical coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The researchers (1) characterized beneficiaries who experienced gaps in coverage; (2) identified factors that contribute to lapses in coverage; (3) assessed the impact of coverage gaps on drug utilization patterns and spending; and (4) determined whether coverage gaps adversely affect treatment patterns for beneficiaries with selected chronic cardiovascular conditions.
