What is a benchmark plan in Medicare?

Asked by: Justina Cummerata  |  Last update: November 21, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (7 votes)

Benchmark plans are Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plans that are premium-free to Part D enrollees receiving the low-income subsidy (LIS).

What does it mean to benchmark a plan?

Simply stated, benchmarking is the process of reviewing and evaluating your company retirement plan. It involves taking a look at what you are offering your employees today and deciding if it's appropriate or needs some updating. There are four main areas to focus on when assessing your retirement plan: Plan Design.

What is a benchmark health insurance plan?

Benchmark plan is the term used to describe the second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) available in the exchange/Marketplace, and it's also the term for the plan that each state designates as the standard for essential health benefits (EHBs).

What is benchmark premium in insurance?

With respect to the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges, a benchmark plan is the second lowest-cost silver plan premium in the consumer's region.

What are Medicare Advantage benchmarks?

• Benchmarks are the annual. established maximum payments set by the CMS that health plans bid against to provide coverage of Medicare Part A and Part B services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare-Explained Parts A & B (Advantage vs Supplement)

23 related questions found

What is a Medicare benchmark plan?

Benchmark plans are Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plans that are premium-free to Part D enrollees receiving the low-income subsidy (LIS).

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.

What is the average benchmark premium?

Nationally, monthly benchmark premiums averaged $438 for a 40-year-old nonsmoker (the monthly premium prices discussed in this paper represent the full unsubsidized cost of purchasing a benchmark plan). Benchmark premiums ranged from a low of $309 per month in New Hampshire to a high of $766 in West Virginia.

What are benchmark benefits?

Employee benefits benchmarking is a practice that gives employers an accurate idea of how they measure up against the competition for gaining new employees.

What is benchmark policy?

A policy benchmark establishes a clear reference point against which to measure investment decision making that deviates from that default position, including attribution of results, sizing of bets, etc.

What are examples of benchmarks in healthcare?

Metrics of interest for healthcare benchmarking include:
  • Mortality rates.
  • Length of stay.
  • Readmissions.
  • Postoperative complications.
  • Patient wait times.
  • Adherence to established protocols, such as hand washing.
  • Patient satisfaction.
  • Pharmaceutical side effects and outcomes.

What is benchmark policy rate?

Interest rate benchmarks – also known as reference rates or just benchmark rates – are regularly updated interest rates that are publicly accessible. They are a useful basis for all kinds of financial contracts such as mortgages, bank overdrafts, and other more complex financial transactions.

What are the 2 most common health insurance plans?

Before choosing a health insurance policy for yourself, your family, or your employees, you must know what types are available. Some popular health insurance policy options are: Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans.

What does benchmark mean in health insurance?

Defining key terms:

Financial Benchmark (health care): an established price for health care services; also known as a “target price" Quality Performance Benchmark (health care): an established standard of care provided to patients.

What is the purpose of benchmarking?

Benchmarking is the process of comparing your business's performance to that of others in your industry. This can help you identify areas where you shine and need improvement. Benchmarking has many benefits, including improving productivity, increasing efficiency, and gaining a competitive edge.

What is a benchmark in simple terms?

A benchmark is a standard or point of reference people can use to measure something else.

What are the disadvantages of benchmarking?

For me, the biggest downsides of using benchmarks can be broken down as:
  • Lack of context. ...
  • Measurement issues. ...
  • Finding comparisons is difficult. ...
  • Finding reliable data can also be difficult. ...
  • Benchmarks look backwards, not forwards.

Is benchmark good or bad?

Benchmarks are incredibly useful data points for anchoring what performance can and should look like. However, my recommendation is to build out benchmarks using your own data whenever possible, and only optimize toward these benchmarks when there's a clear tie to business outcomes.

Why should I use benchmark?

Benchmarking is a strategic process that allows you to measure your company's success against other companies in your industry. When you first start a business, you're probably looking at the biggest competitors in your field, trying to figure out what you have to do to emulate their success.

What is the best health insurance for 55 and older people?

Medicare is the best health insurance for retirees and seniors. You can choose between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or private, bundled coverage, called Medicare Advantage.

What is the most expensive health insurance in the US?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.

What is the required individual contribution to the benchmark plan premium for 2024?

This “required individual contribution” is set on a sliding income scale. In 2024, for individuals with income up to 150 percent FPL, the required contribution is zero, while at an income of 400 percent FPL or above, the required contribution is 8.5 percent of household income.

Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?

Health systems and hospitals are also making the decision to cancel contracts due to excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. Already 27 health systems have canceled their Medicare Advantage contracts this year.

Can I drop my medicare advantage plan and go back to original Medicare?

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: Between January 1 and March 31 of each year, if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) you can: Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare.

Which company has the best Medicare Advantage plan?

Best Medicare Advantage Plans for 2025
  • Best Overall, Best for Low Costs: Cigna.
  • Also Great for Low Costs: Alignment Health.
  • Best for Nationwide Coverage: Aetna.
  • Best for Patient Experience, Best for Drug Coverage: Kaiser Permanente.
  • Best for Special Needs Plans: Humana.