Author Archives: Benjamin Silver, Thomas Hoerger, Wendi Elkins

About Benjamin Silver, Thomas Hoerger, Wendi Elkins

Benjamin Silver is a Research Health Economist and a program manager in the Health Care Financing and Payment Program at RTI International. His current work includes government funded health policy research designign and implementing value-based alternative payment models on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Dr. Silver also holds faculty appointments at Brown University and at Wheaton College, where he has taught undergraduate courses in U.S. public health policy.

Part D Senior Savings: Medicare’s New Approach to Paying for Insulin

For older adults in the United States, obtaining and paying for prescriptions can be a challenge. Although most Americans over age 65 are eligible for prescription drug coverage under the Medicare Part D, understanding and navigating the benefit can be difficult. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) recently launched a new payment model… Read More »

Options for Universal Coverage: Part 3 – Increasing Medicare Benefits

In this series on options for universal coverage, we explore elements of various reform proposals and evaluate their potential impact. Rather than examining complete proposals, we highlight specific policy elements that appear in one or more such proposals. The three we focus on in this series are: Eliminating Medicare Advantage (May 14, 2020) Expanding Medicare… Read More »

Options for Universal Coverage: Part 2 – Eligibility and Enrollment

In this series on options for universal coverage, we explore elements of various reform proposals and evaluate their potential impact. Rather than examining complete proposals, we highlight specific policy elements that appear in one or more such proposals. The three we focus on in this series are: Part 1 – Eliminating Medicare Advantage (May 14,… Read More »

Options for Universal Coverage: Part 1 – Public vs. Private Provision

With the 2020 US presidential election drawing near, debate about the options for universal coverage will ramp up. At the heart of this debate is the estimated 45% of US adults who are either uninsured or under-insured. They are at risk of experiencing financial hardship or going without needed care in a time when access to… Read More »