Research & Publications

Journal Articles

The Welfare Impact of Reducing Choice in Medicare Part D: A Comparison of Two Regulation Strategies

2012, International Economic Review

Claudio Lucrarelli, Jeff Prince, Kosali Simon

Abstract

Motivated by widely publicized concerns that there are “too many” plans, we structurally estimate (and validate) an equilibrium model of the Medicare Part D market to study the welfare impacts of two feasible, similar-sized approaches for reducing choice. One reduces the maximum number of firm offerings regionally; the other removes plans providing donut hole coverage – consumers’ most valued dimension. We find welfare losses are far smaller when coupled with elimination of a dimension of differentiation, as in the latter approach. We illustrate our findings’ relevance under current health care reforms, and consider the merits of instead imposing ex ante competition for entry.

Citation

Lucrarelli, Claudio, Jeff Prince and Kosali Simon (2012), “The Welfare Impact of Reducing Choice in Medicare Part D: A Comparison of Two Regulation Strategies,” International Economic Review, Vol. 53, No. 4, pp. 1155–1177.