McCormack L A, Schnaier J A, Lee A J, Garfinkel S A
Health Economics Research, Inc., Waltham, MA 02154, USA.
Health Care Financ Rev. 1996 Fall;18(1):127-40.
Medicare beneficiaries face myriad rules, conditions, and exceptions under the Medicare program. As a result, State Information, Counseling, and Assistance (ICA) programs were established or enhanced with Federal funding as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1990. ICA programs utilize a volunteer-based and locally-sponsored support system to deliver free and unbiased counseling on the Medicare program and related health insurance issues. This article discusses the effectiveness of the ICA model. Because the ICA programs serve as a vital link between HCFA and its beneficiaries, information about the programs' success may be useful to HCFA and other policymakers during this era of consumer information.
医疗保险受益人在医疗保险计划下面临无数的规则、条件和例外情况。因此，作为1990年《综合预算协调法案》（OBRA）的一部分，州信息、咨询与援助（ICA）计划通过联邦资金得以设立或加强。ICA计划利用基于志愿者且由地方赞助的支持系统，就医疗保险计划及相关健康保险问题提供免费且公正的咨询服务。本文讨论了ICA模式的有效性。由于ICA计划是医疗保健财务管理局（HCFA）与其受益人之间的重要纽带，在这个消费者信息时代，有关这些计划成功与否的信息可能对HCFA及其他政策制定者有用。
