If you are a Medicare beneficiary, you will probably face an important choice in the near future, a choice between traditional fee-for-service Medicare coverage and coverage through managed care plans provided by health maintenance organizations (HMOs). We recognize that, while it is good to have options to choose from, understanding those options and choosing the right one for you can sometimes be confusing.

This is why the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (PANPHA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, cooperated to produce this guide. It is designed to provide you with basic information on Medicare managed care -- how it works, how it differs from traditional fee-for-service Medicare coverage, the advantages and trade-offs, and questions to consider in deciding which plan best meets your financial and health care needs.

Choosing the way you receive and pay for health care is a very important decision and should be based on your own medical needs, financial situation and personal values. We hope this guide will help you to make the best decision for yourself and for your loved ones.

Sincerely,

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is a cabinet-level state agency established to advance the well-being of Pennsylvania's older citizens. The Department coordinates the administration of federal and state aging programs designed to maximize the independence and growth of older Pennsylvanians. Programs are administered by 52 local Area Agencies on Aging which cover all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.