New directions in Medicare managed care

The new Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 offers the most sweeping reforms to the Medicare program since its inception. The managed care benefit formerly offered by Medicare+Choice is greatly improved under Medicare Advantage. Now the nation's senior citizens in urban and rural areas alike can participate in PPOs that provide care-management programs and protection against catastrophic costs. They also receive the same kind of private health insurance options that have been available to the nation's work force.