Description: Research report sponsored by SOA to model and compare projected costs of different proposals for a Medicare prescription drug coverage plan. 3 types of costs are studied: net benefit cost estimates per member per month, continuance table data, and projected annual costs to the government over 10 years for two selected plan designs.

Description: Presented at May 2000 Spring Meeting. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 dramatically changes the competitive landscape for Medicare products by establishing the Medicare+Choice program. This session recaps the Balanced Budget Act's impact on payment rates for capitated plans and the effects that the changes have made on benefit design and enrollment trends in certain geographical areas.