DMAA Statement on Medicare Advantage Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2007

Contact: Carl Graziano
Vice President, Strategic Communications
(202) 737-5781
cgraziano@dmaa.org

Statement attributable to:
Tracey Moorhead
President and Chief Executive Officer, DMAA

"As Congress begins debate on ways to reduce spending in Medicare Advantage plans, the Disease Management Association of America urges lawmakers to consider the special needs of beneficiaries with chronic diseases.

"Chronic care services under Medicare Advantage are critical for Hispanic and African-American beneficiaries, who are more likely to suffer from diabetes, asthma, certain cancers and other debilitating conditions. These services help ensure appropriate treatment and medication use, reduce the risk of adverse events and, most important, optimize therapeutic outcomes.

"Medicare Advantage plans provide a disproportionate share of Medicare coverage for these and other minority populations, and low-income beneficiaries. Specifically, 40 percent of African Americans without Medicaid or employer-sponsored coverage rely on comprehensive coverage under MA plans. Further, these plans offer lower cost-sharing than traditional Medicare, in addition to chronic disease services and other valuable benefits.

"Any action that threatens the viability of Medicare Advantage plans also jeopardizes quality chronic care for millions of beneficiaries—particularly disadvantaged populations. A study by Emory University’s Kenneth Thorpe, Ph.D., found that without Medicare Advantage, 2 million beneficiaries would lose all supplemental coverage, including disease management services. Loss of Medicare Advantage would hit minorities particularly hard—the number of African-Americans without supplemental coverage would rise to nearly 60 percent, for example.

"Recent surveys show a high level of satisfaction with chronic disease care in Medicare Advantage. DMAA urges Congress to maintain program funding at a level that preserves these important and effective services."

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About DMAA
DMAA is a non-profit, voluntary membership association representing all stakeholders in disease management and care coordination. Through advocacy targeting the health care industry, government agencies, employers and the general public, DMAA promotes the important role disease management and care coordination play in improving care quality and outcomes for people with chronic conditions. Visit DMAA online at www.dmaa.org.