Three tables of identical layout, one for aged (AGED1999.CSV),
one for disabled (DSAB1999.CSV), and one for ESRD (ESRD1999.CSV)
enrollees, are included as comma delimited files.
All fields in these files are separated by commas and text strings
are enclosed in double quotes. These files can be imported into
spreadsheet programs. These tables contain all the data needed to
calculate the 1999 rates for every county. The column headings
are self-explanatory. More clarification follows.

The growth rates in 1998 and 1999 are shown at the beginning of the
table. They are used to project the 1997 rates to 1999. Also shown
at the beginning of the table are the 1999 national average rates
and the factors used to split the 1999 rates into their Part A and
Part B components. 

There are three columns labeled under "Medicare Benes in 1996":
Enrollment, Part A Demographic Factor, and Part B Demographic Factor.
The "Enrollment" column shows the number of Medicare beneficiaries,
both fee-for-service and managed care, in each county in 1996, the
latest available data at the time. The other two columns are the
average demographic factors associated with the enrollment. The data
in these three columns are needed to calculate the national average
of the local rates.

Similarly there are three columns labeled under "Risk HMO Benes in
12/97", showing the number of beneficiaries enrolled in risk HMOs
as of December 1997, the latest data available at the time, and their
associated average demographic factors. The data in these three
columns are used in the calculation of the budget neutral adjustment.

Because the 1999 wage indices are not available at the time the rates
were calculated, the 1998 indices are used. They are the same indices
used in calculating the 1998 capitation rates. Both the wage indices
and the GAFs (geographical area factors) are used to adjust the
national average rate in calculating the blended rates.

The GME/IME carve-out factors are slightly different from last year's
to correct for a small overstatement in last year's numbers. These
factors represent 100% of the carve-out amount. To calculate the rates
for 1999, use only 40% of the factors.

Under the "Rate Category" columns, F means the rate to its immediate
left is the minimum rate, i.e. the floor; M, the minimum increase,
i.e. 2%; and B, the blended rate.

 
 
