MEDICAID AND MANAGED CARE
Efforts by states to move Medicaid recipients into managed
care is a continuing story, and these organizations can
help develop it.
Center for Health Care Strategies
353 Nassau St., Princeton, N.J. 08540, (609) 279-0700,
fax (609) 279-0956, Web site: www.chcs.org.
Communications officer Deborah Hornstra (609) 279-6117;
president Stephen Somers. Supported by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. Organization funds research and demonstration
projects, and provides technical aid to state managed care
organizations and health researchers.
The Commonwealth Fund
One East 75th St., New York, N.Y. 10021, (212) 535-0400,
fax (212) 606-3500. Web site: www.cmwf.org,
number for reporters: 800-472-4248. Public information officer
Mary Mahon (212) 606-3853; president Karen Davis. A philanthropic
organization that publishes some of the most authoritative
studies around on Medicaid, managed care, and the uninsured.
(See also "Medicare and Managed Care.")
Community Service Society
105 East 22 St., New York, N.Y. 10010, (212) 614-5401,
fax (212) 614-9441, Web site: www.cssny.org.
Contact: Chris Molnar. Conducts a Medicaid managed care
project to provide information and skills for Medicaid recipients
to navigate a managed care setting.
Health Care Financing Administration
7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21244, Web site: www.hcfa.gov.
Government agency that oversees state Medicaid programs.
Sally Richardson, director center for Medicaid and state
operations, (410) 786-3870.
Health Resources and Services Administration, Center for
Managed Care
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20857, (301) 443-1550,
fax (301) 594-4984, Web site: www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/hrsa/mngdcare/cmc.htm.
Contact: Rhoda Abrams, director (301) 594-4060. Government
agency provides technical assistance to medical professionals
who work with underserved populations.
Kaiser Family Foundation, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid
and the Uninsured
1450 G St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 347-5270,
fax (202) 347-5274, publications request number (800) 656-4533,
Web site: www.kff.org.
Communications officer Sara Knoll; commission director Diane
Rowland; president Drew Altman. Commission publishes solid
and reliable Medicaid fact sheets, chart books, and studies
on Medicaid and managed care. (See also "Medicare and Managed
Care.")
National Health Law Program
2639 S. Lacienega Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90034, (310)
204-6010, fax (310) 204-0891, Web site: www.healthlaw.org.
Director Larry Lavin. A group that serves as an advocate
for low income and disabled people and the elderly. Conducts
training programs on Medicaid managed care and provides
technical assistance to legal aid offices, professional
associations, and advocacy groups.
National Academy for State Health Policy
50 Monument Square, Portland, Me. 04101, (207) 874-6524,
fax (207) 874-6527, Web site: www.nashp.org.
Director of Medicaid Managed Care Resource Center Neva Kaye;
executive director Trish Riley. Can help journalists find
state Medicaid officials to interview.
MEDICARE AND MANAGED CARE
Good sources, these organizations cover the entire range
of issues from Medicare + Choice, the new array of options
for beneficiaries, to problems beneficiaries have with managed
care.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20049, (202) 434-2277,
fax (202) 434-2525, Web site: www.aarp.org.
Communications director James Holland; media relations Gregory
Marchild and Steve Hahn (202) 434-2560. Lobbies on behalf
of thirty-two million members, aged 50 and older. Has extensive
grassroots network and educational outreach activities.
Supports Medicare + Choice with adequate options and choices.
Offers publications dealing with Medicare and managed care.
The Commonwealth Fund
One East 75 St., New York, N.Y. 10021, (212) 535-0400,
fax (212) 606-3500, reporters number (800) 472-4248, Web
site: www.cmwf.org. Public
information officer Mary Mahon (212) 606-3853; president
Karen Davis. Releases many studies and lots of data on Medicare
and managed care. Davis is one of the top experts on Medicare.
(See also Medicaid and Managed Care.)
Health Care Financing Administration
7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21244, press office:
(202) 690-6145, press officer Chris Peacock (202) 690-6149,
Web site: www.hcfa.gov
(for general information), www.medicare.gov
(for health plan comparison information). Federal agency
that administers Medicare. Carol Cronin, director center
for beneficiary services (410) 786-2744; this center conducts
the agency's educational campaigns and partners with Medicare
advocacy groups. Dr. Robert Berenson, director center for
health plans and providers (410) 786-4164; this center is
responsible for the regulations affecting health plans.
Dr. Jeffrey Kang, director of center for clinical standards
and quality, which tries to establish quality guidelines
for health plans.
The Georgetown University Institute for Health Care Research
and Policy
2233 Wisconsin Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, (202)
687-3026. Project director Geraldine Dallek is an expert
on Medicare managed care regulations.
Kaiser Family Foundation
1450 G St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 347-5270,
fax (202) 347-5274, publications request number (800) 656-4533,
Web site: www.kff.org.
Communications officer Sara Knoll; director of Medicare
policy project Patricia Neuman. Has a number of fact sheets
and studies about the Medicare program. (See also "Medicaid
and Managed Care.")
Medicare Rights Center
1460 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036, (212) 869-3850, fax
(212) 869-3532. Vice president Shirley Gazsi; executive
director Diane Archer. Organization maintains a hot line
for Medicare beneficiaries to call with problems. Disseminates
HMO Flash, which details how Medicare and managed care works.
Research Triangle Institute
Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. Lauren McCormack,
project leader Medicare evaluation: (919) 541-6277, fax
(919) 541-6382, e-mail: lmac@rti.org. Has conducted studies
on aspects of Medicare.
SHIP Resource Center
1225 I St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 898-2578,
fax (202) 898-2583. Director Bernice Hutchinson. Supported
by the Health Care Financing Administration and state health
insurance and assistance programs, organization can give
information on various state counseling programs for Medicare
beneficiaries.
