The American Geriatrics Society - News - CMS Selects AGS Member Dr. Richard Stefanacci for 2003 Medicare Health Policy Scholars Program

For Immediate Release
July 1, 2003

For Further Information
Pamela Ingham
(212) 308-1414, ext. 302
Scott Kramer
(212) 308-1414, ext. 329

CMS Selects AGS Member Dr. Richard Stefanacci
for 2003 Medicare Health Policy Scholars Program

Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, CMD has been selected as the 2003 CMS-AGS Medicare Health Policy Scholar. His one-year term begins in July.

The purpose of the Scholars Program is to encourage and develop new health care policy experts on Medicare issues. During his term, Dr. Stefanacci will learn through first-hand experience the challenges and opportunities of the Medicare program, and CMS will benefit from Dr. Stefanacci's perspective and knowledge in senior care as he works with CMS staff on policy-related topics.

According to Dr. Stefanacci, he plans to focus his talents on the expansion of M+C programs and the Medicare pharmacy benefit program, and will develop strategies for pulling together federal resources like HUD to foster the expansion of PACE.

As a visiting scholar for the Thomas Jefferson University Office of Health Policy and Clinical Outcomes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Stefanacci is involved in research and educational projects that deal principally with geriatric care quality and utilization issues. Over the past ten years, he has developed his expertise through serving as medical director for a large primary care private practice, heading up a full-risk provider group, running a Medicare + Choice HMO, and finally, through his current position as medical director for the St. Agnes Medical Center LIFE which is a PACE (Program for All-inclusive Care) program in Philadelphia.