This paper presents a new conceptual framework to approach designing and testing quality materials for Medicare beneficiaries that posits a broader context than individual cognitive biases and the structure of written materials for how individuals interact with materials. Our approach moves beyond how an individual beneficiary interacts with written materials and addresses the cultural (socio-demographic) factors that influence beneficiaries’ understanding and use of materials. Specifically, we extend models of physician-patient communication to characterize the interaction between those providing and receiving quality information for choosing Medicare Fee-for-Service or managed care and discuss the implications for designing consumer reports for health plan decision-making and Medicare policy. We extend the idea that the successful process of exchanging health information between a physician and patient is the result of a dynamic overlap of pre-existing physician characteristics (including culture, knowledge, approach) and pre-existing patient characteristics within a specific context (setting, urgency of health care needs, etc.)—in addition to the nature, content and mode of the information exchanged. Similarly, there is a dynamic interaction between beneficiaries and intermediaries and quality information materials for consumers, and messages to beneficiaries will be shaped by this interaction. The proposed framework takes into account two key factors identified in our research: personal variation between beneficiaries and intermediaries, and the complexity of the context in which beneficiaries make decisions about health plan choice. This framework offers a novel way to conceptualize how and what type of information should be developed for Medicare beneficiaries.
Learning Objectives: Learn about a novel way to conceptualize how and what type of information should be developed for Medicare beneficiaries
Keywords: Health Information, Medicare
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.