Please note that this site is a free public service and is not an endorsement for any Medicare health plan or product.

HealthMetrix Research Selects 2009 Medicare Advantage Plans for Senior Choice Gold Awards

Columbus, OH (October 30, 2008) -- Medicare health plans in 87 markets will be recognized for best overall value in the design of their medical and Part D prescription drug benefits for seniors. The 2009 Senior Choice Gold Award recipients were selected from over 200 Medicare Advantage health plans based on independent cost-sharing comparisons conducted by HealthMetrix Research.

View Award Recipients

HealthMetrix Research Inc. president Alan Mittermaier notes the importance of the award for seniors. "This award responds to the continued concerns and uncertainties that seniors have with the out-of-pocket costs incurred when they enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan. Each of the award recipients has demonstrated a commitment to cost-sharing effectiveness and value in the design of their Medicare health plans benefits, copayments, deductibles and premiums including the Part D prescription drug benefits. The award is one important factor for measuring Medicare health plans excellence in addition to other awards and consumer ratings that recognize excellence in quality of care, health outcomes, and member satisfaction."

The award criteria established by HealthMetrix Research Inc. were based on cost-sharing comparisosns conducted in each major market. The comparisons project the annual out-of-pocket costs based on health status categories (healthy/episodic/chronic) and corresponding utilization of the most common health plan benefits (physician office visits, emergency or urgent care, hospital care, prevention care, prescriptions).

HealthMetrix Research Inc. delivers decision-support information to a national audience of managed care organizations, healthcare providers, purchasers, and consumers. The Senior Choice Gold Award is based on the 2009 Medicare CostShare Report produced by HealthMetrix Research Inc. The Medicare CostShare Report methodology and findings have been featured in recent Medicare Advantage research conducted by George Washington University, Mathematica Policy Research, and Research Triangle Institute.