What percentage of Medicare patients have Medicare Advantage?

Asked by: Leilani Hessel  |  Last update: August 22, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (60 votes)

In 2022, nearly half of (48%) eligible Medicare beneficiaries – 28.4 million people out of 58.6 million Medicare beneficiaries overall – are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

What percentage of people use Medicare Advantage?

Between 2019 and 2023, Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown by 2.1 percent. As of January 2023, 48 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, translating to 30.7 million people. Medicare Advantage enrollment growth continued at a rapid pace, adding 2.7 million beneficiaries in 2023.

How many Medicare patients have Medicare Advantage?

As of March 2023, 65,748,297 people are enrolled in Medicare, an increase of almost 100,000 since the last report in September. Of those: 33,948,778 are enrolled in Original Medicare. 31,799,519 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.

How many people switch from Medicare to Medicare Advantage?

In 2020, 6.8 percent of beneficiaries switched from traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage compared to 2 percent of beneficiaries who shifted from the private to the public program.

Why do so many older adults choose Medicare Advantage?

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits, such as money toward dental or vision care, which isn't covered by original Medicare. About 1 in 4 people say extra benefits pushed them to choose Medicare Advantage, according to a survey by the Commonwealth Fund, a health care think tank.

Why Medicare Advantage Is The Worst Choice For Seniors

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Why are people switching to Medicare Advantage?

Lower out of pocket costs

Under Medicare Advantage, each plan negotiates its own rates with providers. You may pay lower deductibles and copayments/coinsurance than you would pay with Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans have deductibles as low as $0.

Do most people get a Medicare Advantage plan?

Nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, a popular program that provides affordable, coordinated, patient-centered care and offers additional benefits that address social needs, such as meal support and transportation.

Are Medicare Advantage plans becoming more popular?

A Record 30.7 Million Individuals Are Now Enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Penetration continues to grow, with 48% of all Medicare beneficiaries now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage product. This reflects growth of 2.7 million total beneficiaries since 2022.

Does Medicare Advantage produce better outcomes?

Optum study: Accountable Medicare Advantage models produce better outcomes, greater efficiency. Value-based models in Medicare Advantage (MA) achieve better patient outcomes and more efficient care compared to traditional Medicare, according to a recent study from Optum.

What changes is Medicare making in 2023?

What are the changes to Medicare benefits for 2023? Changes to 2023 Medicare coverage include a decrease in the standard Part B premium to $164.90 and a decrease in the Part B deductible to $226. Part A premiums, deductible and coinsurance are all increasing for 2023.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?

If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare Part A & Part B.

Does Medicare Advantage cover more than original Medicare?

With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have coverage for things Original Medicare doesn't cover, like fitness programs (gym memberships or discounts) and some vision, hearing, and dental services (like routine check ups or cleanings). Plans can also cover even more benefits.

Is Medicare Advantage better or worse?

For many seniors, Medicare Advantage plans can work well. A 2021 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that Advantage enrollees often receive more preventive care than those in traditional Medicare. But if you have chronic conditions or significant health needs, you may want to think twice.

Why would I choose Medicare Advantage over Original Medicare?

Original Medicare does not include prescription drug coverage. You may choose to purchase a stand-alone prescription drug plan from a private company. Most Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for prescription drugs, although there are also MA plans that cover medical services only.

Who dominates Medicare Advantage market?

MA Leading Plan Performance

There are 294 insurers covering the MA marketplace in the United States, however nearly 80 percent of MA enrollees selected one of only 10 insurers. As of March 2023, UnitedHealth continues to dominate in this highly competitive segment.

Who is the largest Medicare Advantage plan?

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and offers plans in nearly nine out of every 10 U.S. counties. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP, insuring the Medicare products that carry the AARP name.

Is Medicare Advantage at risk?

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) estimated that in 2020 the risk scores for beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage were about 9.5 percent higher than what they would have been for a similar beneficiary in traditional Medicare, resulting in about $12 billion in excess payments to plans.

Is Medicare Advantage good for the elderly?

Medicare Advantage for seniors

The advantage for seniors is more choice and often lower out-of-pocket costs. Most of these plans are health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs) — which offer significant savings for visiting in-network providers.

Is it necessary to have a Medicare supplement?

Medicare supplement plans are optional but could save you big $$$ on doctor bills. Your cost-sharing under Part B is similar. You are responsible for paying your Part B deductible, which is $226 in 2023. Then Part B Medicare only pay 80% of approved services.

When did Medicare Advantage start?

The M+C program in Part C of Medicare was renamed the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), which was enacted in December 2003.

What does it mean when you have a Medicare Advantage plan?

A Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is a type of health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Medicare Parts A and B benefits. MA plans include health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, private fee-for-service plans, and Special Needs Plans.

Why people don t like Medicare Advantage plans?

High Out-of-Pocket Costs

One of the primary reasons why Medicare Advantage plans are bad for some is because of their high costs. While these plans may offer lower premiums than traditional Medicare, they often come with additional costs that can quickly add up.

How do I switch back to original Medicare?

If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan and you want to switch to traditional Medicare, you should contact your current plan to cancel your enrollment and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Note there are specific enrollment periods each year to do this.

Are Medicare Advantage plans actually Medicare?

People with Medicare can get their health coverage through either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as a Medicare private health plan or Part C). Consider the following key differences between these two options when deciding how you want to receive your Medicare benefits.