Factors associated with Medicare beneficiaries' interest in HMOs

In this study we explore the demographic and health status factors associated with HMO awareness and enrollment interest among 314 Medicare beneficiaries. The results reveal that older adults most aware of HMOs were more demographically advantaged than others. In contrast, those most interested in information and HMO enrollment reported more financial vulnerability. An unanticipated finding was that self-reported health status and health care utilization were not associated significantly with HMO awareness or enrollment interest. If replicated, the findings suggest that relatively healthy Medicare beneficiaries with financial vulnerabilities could be enrolled in HMOs without necessarily increasing the proportion of high medical care utilizers.