Is the informed-choice policy approach appropriate for Medicare beneficiaries?

• Published in: Health Affairs Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 199 - 203
• Main Authors: Hibbard, J H, Slovic, P, Peters, E, Finucane, M L, Tusler, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The People to People Health Foundation, Inc., Project HOPE 01.05.2001
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age groups; Aged; Aging; Beneficiaries; Choice Behavior; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Community Participation; Comparative analysis; Consumers; Decision making; Education; Educational attainment; Female; Government programs; Health care; Health Policy; Humans; Information Services; Judgment; Male; Medicare; Medicare - organization & administration; Middle Aged; Population; Skills; Statistical analysis; Studies; United States; United States > US
• ISSN: 0278-2715; 1544-5208
• DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.20.3.199

Current policy approaches rely on Medicare beneficiaries to make informed choices about their care and their coverage. It is assumed that with information to explain the options, beneficiaries will be able to make choices that fit their individual needs and preferences. However, little is known about decision-making skill in the older population. A study examines the lowest-level skill in decision making: correctly interpreting comparative data. The skills of a Medicare and a nonelderly sample are compared in their ability to interpret comparative information, and it is determined whether skill in using information is related to attitudes about making plan choices.