Medicare Managed Care: Information Standards Would Help Beneficiaries Make More Informed Health Plan Choices

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed the extent to which the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) Medicare Choice information development efforts are likely to: (1) enable beneficiaries to readily compare benefits and out-of-pocket costs using plan brochures; and (2) facilitate the agency's approval of plans' marketing materials and other administrative work required of both HCFA and the health plans.