Geriatric care needs and HMO technology. A theoretical analysis and initial findings from the National Medicare Competition Evaluation.

More than 770,000 Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in 1986 in HMOs that have very little experience in providing health care to elderly patients. A general framework for assessing the effects of HMO as compared with fee-for-service delivery systems for the elderly is needed to guide the many studies of quality of care that are underway and will ensue. The following paper addresses the development of such a framework through analysis of the "fit" between the health care needs of the elderly and HMO technology and examination of initial findings from the National Medicare Competition Evaluation--a major project currently underway.