Evaluation of the Program for Elders in Managed Care

Elders who are frail because of disability, multiple chronic conditions, and other factors account for a growing share of the population, yet they are often poorly served by a health care system that is focused on acute care episodes. This report for the 147 examines its Program for Elders in Managed Care, a five-year $15 million initiative begun in 1997 to encourage better linkages between plans, providers, and community organizations to improve care delivery. Findings show that flaws in concept, design, and implementation made it challenging to achieve intended goals, especially those involving cost and utilization reductions.