--- title: "Pt. experiences selecting Medicare Part D Rx drug plan. | Sutter Health" description: "Many Medicare beneficiaries expressed a desire for greater assistance with and greater simplicity in the Pt. D Rx drug plan choice process." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-experiences-selecting-medicare-part-d-rx-drug-plan-1055312300" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Pt. experiences selecting Medicare Part D Rx drug plan. # Patient experiences in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Stults CD, Baskin AS, Bundorf MK, & Tai-Seale M. _J Patient Experience. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517739413_ 2017-11-21 ## Abstract Introduction: Medicare beneficiaries often report that the process of choosing a prescription drug plan is frustrating and confusing and many do not enroll in the plan that covers their drugs at the lowest cost. Methods: We conducted 4 focus groups to understand beneficiaries’ experiences in selecting a drug plan to identify what resources and factors were most important to them. Participants were patients served by a multispecialty delivery system and were primarily affluent and Caucasian. Results: While low cost was essential to many, other characteristics like having the same plan as a partner, company reputation, convenience, and anticipation of possible future health problems were sometimes more important. Although some used resources including insurance brokers, counselors, and websites beyond Medicare.gov, many expressed a desire for greater assistance with and greater simplicity in the choice process. Conclusion: Although older adults would likely benefit from greater assistance in choosing Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, more research is necessary to understand how to help with decision-making in this context. [PubMed abstract](https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517739413) ![Cheryl Stults, Ph.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/3IhveEwq-t5WoqAzSNGeAr-4g4yrj4v7x1QcPGdCX_s/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Cheryl Stults, Ph.D. Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/cheryl-stults-phd-1049681000) ## Research topics - [Aging and Longevity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Aging+and+Longevity%5C%22%22) - [Health Policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Policy%5C%22%22) - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) - [Medical Informatics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Medical+Informatics%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Medicare annual preventive care visits: use increased among fee-for-service patients, but many do not participate.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/medicare-preventive-care-in-fee-for-svce-pts-1055312874) Chung S, Lesser LI, Lauderdale DS, Johns NE, Palaniappan LP, Luft HS. Health Aff (Millwood). 34(1):11-20. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0483. 2015 Jan 01 - Publication ### [Impact of home-based, patient-centered support for people with advanced illness in an open health system: a retrospective claims analysis of health expenditures, utilization, and quality of care at end of life.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/impact-of-palliative-care-program-cost-use-qol-1055312725) Sudat SEK, Franco A, Pressman AR, Rosenfeld K, Gornet E, Stewart W. Palliat Med. 2018 Feb;32(2):485-492. doi: 10.1177/0269216317711824. Epub 2017 Jun 7. 2018 Feb 01 - Publication ### [When does adoption of health information technology by physician practices lead to use by physicians within the practice?](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/adoption-and-use-of-health-it-by-physicians-1055312889) McClellan SR, Casalino LP, Shortell SM, Rittenhouse DR. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 20(e1):e26-32. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2012-001271. 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Health Serv Res. 42(5):1871-94. 2007 Oct 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-experiences-selecting-medicare-part-d-rx-drug-plan-1055312300#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Pt. experiences selecting Medicare Part D Rx drug plan."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-experiences-selecting-medicare-part-d-rx-drug-plan-1055312300#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Patient experiences in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.","headline":"Pt. experiences selecting Medicare Part D Rx drug plan.","abstract":"Introduction: Medicare beneficiaries often report that the process of choosing a prescription drug plan is frustrating and confusing and many do not enroll in the plan that covers their drugs at the lowest cost. Methods: We conducted 4 focus groups to understand beneficiaries’ experiences in selecting a drug plan to identify what resources and factors were most important to them. Participants were patients served by a multispecialty delivery system and were primarily affluent and Caucasian. Results: While low cost was essential to many, other characteristics like having the same plan as a partner, company reputation, convenience, and anticipation of possible future health problems were sometimes more important. Although some used resources including insurance brokers, counselors, and websites beyond Medicare.gov, many expressed a desire for greater assistance with and greater simplicity in the choice process. 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