Sweeping policy changes enacted in 1997 have brought managed care coverage and other private health insurance options to Medicare beneficiaries under a program called Medicare+Choice. Over the next two years, a number of these policies-including changes in payment methods for plans, an open enrollment period, quality information and standards, and the development of new types of plans-will be phased in, creating a period of instability and confusion for both beneficiaries and plans. This project will assess the continued implementation of Medicare+Choice, with a focus on the implications for health care access and quality for the elderly and disabled. Recommendations based on quantitative and qualitative analysis will inform policymakers as they consider ways to improve the program. http://www.gwu.edu