Analysis Examines Latest Trends in Medicaid Spending, Enrollment; Column Addresses Medicare Enrollment for Working Seniors

• "The Latest Trends in Medicaid Spending and Enrollment," Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured: Medicaid spending and enrollment growth rates fell in 2003 and 2004, following trends in the U.S. economy, according to a new fact sheet and report from KCMU. According to KCMU's analysis, enrollment in Medicaid decreased from an average of 9% between 2000 and 2002 to an average of 4.1% between 2003 and 2004, reflecting both an improved economy and Medicaid cost-containment policies approved by some states during the period. Meanwhile, per-beneficiary Medicaid spending for acute care services increased at a slower rate in 2003-2004 than private insurance spending, rising by 4.7% during the period, compared with 8.2% for private insurance premiums (KCMU release, 6/1).
  
  
• Kaiser Medicare Q&A Column, Kaiser Family Foundation/Knight Ridder/Tribune News: This week's column, prepared by the Kaiser Family Foundation and distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune News, answers a question about whether seniors who are eligible for Medicare but are still working should enroll in Medicare or stay with their employer-sponsored insurance plan. According to the column, Medicare-eligible individuals can continue to use their employer's health plan, although they are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services. In addition, the column says that individuals can choose to enroll in Medicare Part B, which is voluntary and covers physician services, and Medicare Part D, the program's prescription drug benefit. The column says that if seniors have employer-sponsored insurance and do not want to enroll in Medicare Part B, they should contact the Social Security Administration to explain that they have coverage through their employer and plan to let the SSA know when they retire, so that they can sign up for Part B at that time. Seniors who have drug coverage through their employer should compare that plan to Medicare Part D plans to ensure their employer's coverage is at least as generous as Part D (Kaiser Medicare Q&A Column, 6/1).