Medicare Subvention Demonstration: DOD Experience and Lessons for Possible VA Demonstration
Abstract
We are pleased to be here today as you review the Medicare subvention demonstration for the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as subvention demonstration proposals for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The stated goal of subvention is to implement an alternative for delivering accessible and quality care to Medicare-eligible military retirees and certain Medicare-eligible veterans, without increasing the cost to DOD or VA, or to Medicare. In principle, Medicare-eligible military retirees who enrolled in the subvention program would get higher priority at military facilities than before, permitting them to get Medicare-covered care from DODa new alternative to retirees current Medicare options. Similarly, proposals have surfaced to allow certain Medicare-eligible veterans to use their Medicare benefits at VA facilities. Subvention could allow DOD and VA to augment appropriated funds with Medicare payments and to use excess capacity where it exists. Medicare might gain because under subvention it would pay DOD and VA less than the rate paid to private Medicare providers and managed care plans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 1999
- Accession Number
- AD1167363
Entities
People
- Stephen P. Backhus
- William J. Scanlon
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office