A literature review and focus groups conducted in support of HCFA's HORIZONS Project of minority outreach suggest that Asian-American and Pacific Island elders face cultural, social, and administrative barriers to participation in Medicare. The extent of this problem has been difficult to discern because Medicare does not accurately identify AAPI ethnicity among beneficiaries. County-by-county Medicare enrollment in California confirms that the percentage of elderly self-identified as AAPI contributes extensively enrollment "shortfalls," except in the San Joaquin Valley. Probable causes and implications of the failure to enroll eligible AAPI elderly are discussed.
Learning Objectives: Identify potential cultural barriers to enrollment in Medicare among AAPI elderly. Awareness of contribution of these barriers to lower-than-expected Medicare participation in California.
Keywords: Medicare/Medicaid, Asian Americans
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Health Care Financing Administration
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.