Use nationally representative data to examine retiree health insurance. Concluded that retiree health coverage was widespread and typical benefits were more generous than those in medigap policies. Overlay of typical retiree plan on Medicare resulted in more generous total insurance benefits that those held by working nonelderly or beneficiaries…

Purpose: We attempt to determine whether older workers and early retirees avoid managed care plans and to explore whether health plan choices are linked to the health status of workers or their spouses. Design and Methods: We use the responses of those born between 1931 and 1941 to the 1994 and 1998 waves of the Health and Retirement Survey. We…