HMO enrollment of Medicare recipients: an analysis of incentives and barriers.

Although there has been increased interest in use of the health maintenance organization (HMO) model to resolve a variety of problems relating to provision of health care to older individuals, less than 2 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are currently enrolled in HMOs. This paper examines both legislative and operational barriers to HMO enrollment of the elderly. Legislative reforms, HMO organizational structures, and marketing strategies thought to encourage enrollment of the elderly are discussed.