en higher cost burdens. Those in poor health will spend about three times more out-of-pocket than those in good health. Costs for sicker plan enrollees also increased at a faster rate over the four-year period than did costs for healthy enrollees. From 1999 to 2003, average out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries in poor health climbed from $2,211 to $5,305. Annual costs for those in good health rose from $836 to $1,564.

"Health insurance is designed to protect individuals from high health care costs that could inflict financial hardship," said Karen Davis, president of The Commonwealth Fund. "The steadily increasing financial burden on sicker beneficiaries is of notable concern."

Average Annual Out-of-Pocket Cost-Sharing for Medicare+Choice Enrollees, 19992003

1999 - $976
2000 - $1185
2001 - $1438
2002 - $1786
2003 - $1964

Note: Results are weighted by plan enrollment. Out-of-pocket cost estimates include the Medicare Part B premium, the Medicare+Choice premium, spending for physician and hospital copayments, and outpatient prescription drugs not covered by the M+C package.

Source: Mathematica Policy Research analysis of Medicare Compare using HealthMetrix Research's Medicare HMO Cost Share Report Methodology.

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Contact: Mary Mahon
mm@cmwf.org
212-606-3853
Commonwealth Fund
11-Aug-2003

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