Special Needs Plans

"Do We Know If Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans Are Special?" James Verdier, Marsha Gold, and Sarah Davis, January 2008. Special needs plans (SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage managed care plan that serves individuals who have chronic or disabling conditions, are covered under both Medicare and Medicaid, or are institutionalized. Enrollment in SNPs has nearly doubled in the past year to almost 1.1 million, and many expect continued enrollment growth in both existing plans and in the nearly 300 new plans approved for 2008. This report describes the history of these plans, how they fit into the larger Medicare Advantage marketplace, and how to assess whether SNPs are performing differently from other Medicare Advantage plans.

What Works Clearinghouse

Two new What Works Clearinghouse reviews in the area of Dropout Prevention were released on January 24. Conducted by a team led by principal investigator Robert Wood, the reviews focus on secondary school and community-based interventions designed to help students stay in school or complete school:

"What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Report: First Things First." This intervention is a reform model intended to transform schools serving economically disadvantaged students. The WWC review found First Things First to have no discernible effects on staying in school in its first year of implementation.

Upcoming Presentations

Cyber Seminar:
Leading the Way? Maine's Experience in Expanding Coverage
February 1, 2008; 12:00-1:30 p.m.

The Commonwealth Fund's State Innovations program and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization and State Coverage Initiatives programs are hosting this web- and audio-based conference, which will feature findings from Mathematica's evaluation of Maine's progress in providing affordable health insurance coverage to its residents. With the launch of the Dirigo Health Reform Act in 2003, Maine became the first state to pass comprehensive health reform with the goal of covering all residents. As part of the reform effort, Maine developed two coverage options for its residents: DirigoChoice, a subsidized insurance product, and a Medicaid eligibility expansion for low-income parents of dependent children. The evaluation identified both the successes and challenges of the program and considered how Maine's experiences could serve as a lesson for other states which are exploring initiatives to expand access and provide affordable insurance. Listen to Mathematica researchers Debra Lipson and Jim Verdier as they discuss the findings. Registration information.

On the Move: Staff News and Changes

Sheila Heaviside has been named associate director of survey research for the Washington, DC, office. She has played a key role in a number of Mathematica's major education surveys, including the evaluations of mathematics curricula, educational technology, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Read the release.