Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This process evaluation of the development of strategic alliances between area agencies on aging (AAAs) and managed care organizations (MCOs) identified factors that facilitated the establishment of these partnerships along with the challenges they faced. Data were gathered from two Pennsylvania sites (Philadelphia and Erie), using documentation and records along with interview data that were gathered during site visits. The principal findings include: (a) The AAAs experienced difficulty in “selling” their services to the MCOs. (b) There were misconceptions on the part of the MCOs and AAAs regarding the specific services that the partner would provide— misconceptions that only became obvious once the projects were operational. (c) Concerns about consumer’s outcomes appear to have been lost in the shuffle as both projects focused on “completing the in-home assessments and producing a caring plan.” (d) It appears unlikely that theMCOs will consider reimbursing the AAAs to deliver a package of social services designed to reinforce community-based care.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Administration on Aging. (1997). Managed care principles for the aging network(AoA-IM-97-08). Washington, DC: Author.

American Association of Health Plans Foundation. (1998). National program report: Chronic care initiative in HMOs. Available from http://www/rwjf.org/health/htmos.htm

Clement, D. G., Gleason, P. M., & Brown, R. S. (1992). Evaluation of access and satisfaction with care in the TEFRA Program. Final report to the Health Care Financing Admistration. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research.

Coe, R. (1995). Health maintenance organizations. In G. Maddox (Ed.), The encyclopedia of aging(pp. 447-448). New York: Springer.

Coleman, B., & Graves-Tucker, N. (1997). Managed long-term care: What role do Area Agencies on Aging play?Washington, DC: AARP.

Counte, M. (1998). The emerging role of the client in the delivery of primary care to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33, 402-423.

Evashwick, C. J., & Cohn, J. (1999). Enhancing managed care’s role in long-term care: Building on the aging network. Managed Care Quarterly, 7(1), 39-45, 195-195.

Fox, P. D., & Fama, T. (1996). Managed care and the elderly: Performance and potential. Generation, 20(2), 31-37.

Hage, J. T. (1995). Commentary. InA. Kaluzny, H. Zuckerman, & T. Ricketts (Eds.), Partners for the dance: Forming strategic alliances(pp. 192-198). Chicago: Health Administration Press.

10.

Health Care Financing Administration. (1995, February). Medicare: A profile. Washington, DC: Author.

11.

Health Care Financing Administration. (1997). Fact sheet: Managed care in Medicare and Medicaid. Available from http://www.hcfa.gov/facts/n9609.htm

12.

Kaluzny, A. D., Zuckerman, H. S., & Rabiner, D.J. (1998). Interorganizational factors affecting the delivery of primary care to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33, 381-401.

13.

Kane, R. A., & Baker, M. O. (1996). Managed care issues and themes: What next for the aging network?. Available from http://www/aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/pages/mc%25Drpt.html

14.

Kanter, R. M. (1994). Collaborative advantage: The art of alliances. Harvard Business Review, 72, 96-108.

15.

Lorange, P., & Roos, J. (1993). Strategic alliances: Formation, implementation and evaluation. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

16.

Mollica, R. L., & Riley, T. (1997). Managed care for low-income elders dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare: A snapshot of state and federal activity. Portland, ME: National Academy for State Health Policy. (NAIC accession number: 03814)

17.

Ory, M., Cooper, J., & Siu, A. (1998). Toward the development of a research agenda on organizational issues in the delivery of healthcare to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33, 287-297.

18.

Polivka, L., & Robinson-Anderson, R. (1997). Managed care and the future of long-term care for the frail elderly: The role of the aging network. Tampa: Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging.

19.

Shortell, S. (1995). Commentary. In A. Kaluzny, H. Zuckerman, & T. Ricketts (Eds.), Partners for the dance: Forming strategic alliances(pp. 185-192). Chicago: Health Administration Press.

20.

Sofaer, S. (1998). Aging and primary care: An overview of organizational and behavioral issues in the delivery of healthcare services to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33, 298-321.

21.

Thornton, C. (2001). Managed delivery systems for Medicare beneficiaries with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Abstract retrievedfrom http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/daltcp/projects.htm#MPR2

22.

Wholey, D. R., Burns, L. R., & Lavizzo-Mourey, R. (1998). Managed care and the delivery of primary care to the elderly and the chronically ill. Health Services Research, 33, 322-353.

23.

Zinn, S., & Mor, V. (1998). Organizational structure and the delivery of primary care to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33, 354-380.

The Delivery of Health Care to the Elderly: Lessons Learned from the Creation of Interorganizational Linkages Between Area Agencies on Aging and Managed Care Organizations

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References