First Massachusetts Duals Demonstration Evaluation Shows Enrollees In Poorer Health Than Non-Enrollees

Massachusetts residents ages 21 to 64 with disabilities and serious mental illness (SMI) and dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid who enrolled in the Massachusetts One Care demonstration program were in poorer health than a comparison group of dual eligibles who were not enrolled. About 52% of the One Care enrollees had severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), compared to 46% of non-enrollees. About 95% of One Care enrollees had disability as their original reason for Medicare entitlement before age 65, compared to 89% of non-enrollees.

The One Care design specifically focused on enrolling duals between ages 21 . . .