Across racial and ethnic groups, MA enrollees report broadly similar experiences but wide disparities in outcomes.
CMS published its annual report on disparities in healthcare among Medicare Advantage enrollees May 2. The report reviews patient-reported experiences and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measures.
The report identified the widest disparities among groups in behavioral healthcare and diabetes care.
Here are 10 numbers to note:
- In 2023, Asian American and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial people with Medicare were more likely to be enrolled in MA than American Indians and Alaska Native and white people with Medicare in 2023. Female Medicare beneficiaries were also more likely to enroll in MA than male beneficiaries.
- Disparities on clinical care outcomes were most significant among American Indian/Alaska Native and Black enrollees. American Indian/Alaska Native enrollees had outcomes below the national average on 10 of 27 measures, and Black enrollees had outcomes below the national average on 18 of 41 measures.
- American Indian/Alaska Native enrollees had the largest deficits compared to the national average among diabetes care measures.
- Black enrollees had wide disparities in behavioral care, cardiovascular care, diabetes care and care coordination.
- Clinical care scores were more mixed among Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic populations. Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander enrollees had outcomes lower than the national average on 5 of 41 measures, and higher than the national average on 13 measures. Hispanic enrollees had outcomes below the national average on 11 measures and above the national average on 12 measures.
- For Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander beneficiaries, the largest deficit compared with the national average was treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.
- Among Hispanic populations, the widest disparities were in alcohol and drug addiction treatment and cardiac rehabilitation.
- CMS uncovered fewer significant differences across patient experience measures. Black and multiracial enrollees had flu vaccination rates considerably below the national average, according to the report.
- Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders reported difficulty getting appointments and care quickly at higher rates than other groups.
- CMS is targeting policies to improve access to behavioral healthcare and diabetes care, the areas with the widest disparities among racial groups, according to the report.