Several health care maintenance org...

Several health care maintenance organizations (HMOs) have notified the Health Care Financing Administration that they will not continue to participate in the Medicare program, according to a July 7 2000 novels release from the American Association of Retired ones (AARP). It is estimated that approximately 700000 beneficiaries across the United States will be affected by dint of this decision.

"What to do if your Medicare managed plan leaves," an AARP publication, is a guide for beneficiaries whose HMO is leaving the Medicare program. This guide will help beneficiaries decide what to do if they find themselves in this situation.

According to the release, the restraint required notification from HMOs planning to leave Medicare by dint of July 3, 2000. Beneficiaries must be notified in writing by dint of HMOs of this change, further HMOs have until Oct 2 2000 to give notification. Those affected on this change will remain screened under the original Medicare program.

" if they [beneficiaries] want extras not shrouded by Medicare, they will ne to find gone out about other locally available Medicare managed care or supplemental plans," said Deborah Banda, AARP Massachusetts state director. "AARP's publication can help guide them from one side this process."

What To Do If Your Medicare Managed Care Plan Leaves (new release, Boston: AARP, July 6 2000) 1-2 Available from http://www.individual.com/fra.../story.shtml? =p0706152.300&level3=596&date=2000070. Accessed 7 July 2000

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