Here are eight research findings about Medicare Advantage Becker’s has reported since July 26.
- Medicare Advantage enrollment is growing faster in rural and micropolitan areas than in metropolitan areas, according to an analysis from KFF. The number of people living in rural counties — those with populations of under 10,000 — enrolled in Medicare Advantage quadrupled from 2010 to 2023, growing from 10 percent of Medicare beneficiaries to 40 percent.
- Most growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment since 2006 was driven by people switching from fee-for-service Medicare to the program, a study by HHS researchers published in the September issue of Health Affairs found.
- Medicare Advantage plans generally spend less per enrollee than traditional Medicare plans, but these differences vary widely by condition, a study published in the September issue of Health Affairs found. Chronic kidney disease had the largest difference in spending between MA and traditional Medicare beneficiaries.
- Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were less likely to receive ongoing at-home care than their counterparts in traditional Medicare but more likely to receive one-time visits, a study published in the September issue of Health Affairs found.
- Many Medicare Advantage beneficiaries disenroll from their plans within five years of enrolling, a study published in JAMA Health Forum found.
- Medicare Advantage enrollees were less likely to report receiving post-acute care after hospitalization than their counterparts in traditional Medicare, a study published Aug. 18 in JAMA Health Forum found.
- Half of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries say they don’t fully understand their plan, a survey from Retirement Living found.
- Medicare Advantage enrollees who use supplemental benefits are more likely to live in areas with fewer resources, according to a report from the Elevance Health Public Policy Institute.
