Medicare

Medicare Advantage enrollment increased by 1.7 million beneficiaries

March 11, 2024 - Medicare Advantage enrollment has increased by 1.7 million beneficiaries since 2023, with for-profit health plans dominating the market, a Chartis report revealed. Among 65.9 million Medicare-eligible individuals, 33 million are enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2024. The private program saw a 5.4 percent enrollment growth from last year—a...


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Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries Receive Less Home Healthcare Services

by Victoria Bailey

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UnitedHealth Group Scrutinized for Alleged Antitrust Practices

by Kelsey Waddill

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating antitrust allegations against UnitedHealth Group, with a specific focus on the ties between UnitedHealthcare and Optum, according to a Wall Street...

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After the public health emergency (PHE) ended, many federal regulations that facilitated access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests expired. While some policies may still apply, coverage...

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by Kelsey Waddill

HCSC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, intends to seal the acquisition of Cigna’s Medicare businesses for $3.3 billion, the payer announced. The purchase...

US Drug Prices Are 8x the Cost in Peer Countries for Some Drugs

by Kelsey Waddill

Despite efforts to reduce drug costs through Medicare negotiation for 10 common medications, the US still pays more for these drugs than almost any other nation, even after factoring in discounts and...

Does Integrating Medicare and Medicaid Improve Care for Dual Eligibles?

by Victoria Bailey

Integrating Medicare and Medicaid coverage for dual eligible beneficiaries was associated with higher use of home- and community-based services (HCBS) but did not reduce hospitalization or improve care...

What Health Plans Are Available For People With Disabilities?

by Victoria Bailey

Public and private payers alike offer a multitude of benefits for people living with disabilities. According to the CDC, up to 27 percent of adults in the United States have some type of disability, including mobility, cognition,...

How Do Payers Cover Prenatal, Postpartum Care for Pregnant People?

by Victoria Bailey

Prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum care help ensure healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes for pregnant people. Access to this essential care comes easier with adequate health insurance. Pregnant people are almost guaranteed...

Medicare Hospice Model Improved Quality of Life, Reduced Medicare Spending

by Victoria Bailey

The Medicare Care Choices Model (MCCM) improved end-of-life care, increased hospice use, and reduced inpatient admissions for Medicare beneficiaries while simultaneously lowering Medicare spending, a...

Medicare ACO Enrollment Did Not Improve Mental Healthcare Outcomes

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Medicare beneficiaries newly enrolled in accountable care organizations (ACOs) did not see any improvements in their depression and anxiety symptoms, suggesting Medicare ACOs may need better incentives...

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by Victoria Bailey

The share of primary care visits focused on preventive care nearly doubled between 2001 and 2019, with the steepest growth among Medicare beneficiaries, a Health Affairs study found. Periodic...

Avoidable Hospitalizations Less Common in Medicare Advantage, Study Finds

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Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were less likely to have avoidable hospitalizations than those in traditional Medicare, suggesting that the use of provider networks in Medicare Advantage may reduce...

Care Quality, Health Outcomes Better in Medicare Advantage than FFS

by Victoria Bailey

Medicare Advantage beneficiaries experience higher quality care and better health outcomes than fee-for-service beneficiaries, according to a report from Harvard and Inovalon. Researchers used...

How Public, Private Payers Cover Care for the LGBTQ+ Population

by Victoria Bailey

In a country with rampant health disparities, health insurance coverage can be the difference between accessing necessary services and going without care. How health plans cover care for socially disadvantaged and vulnerable populations...

HHS Patient Assistance Program Aims To Boost Access to COVID-19 Drug

by Kelsey Waddill

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will ensure access to a coronavirus therapy from Pfizer for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured through a patient assistance program,...

Medicare Part B Premiums, Deductibles Will Increase in 2024

by Victoria Bailey

Monthly Medicare Part B premiums will increase by nearly $10 in 2024 due to a projected increase in healthcare spending, CMS announced. Medicare Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital...