BETTER MEDICARE ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON 2019 MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ENROLLMENT GROWTH
Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to the release of the Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) landscape files for contract year (CY) 2019:
“The projected strong growth of 11.5% in enrollment for Medicare Advantage in 2019 to 22.6 million Americans shows that as Medicare beneficiaries become more familiar with the options, they are actively choosing Medicare Advantage.
“It is also good news for beneficiaries that the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium is expected to decrease again next year by 6.5%. Older adults are choosing Medicare Advantage due to better benefits, reduced out of pockets costs as Medicare Advantage demonstrates high-quality, value-based care.
“The new flexibility in supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage has already resulted in about 270 Medicare Advantage plans offering new or expanded additional benefits to targeted populations.
“Further, studies have shown that areas of increased Medicare Advantage penetration has seen a positive spillover effect in Traditional Medicare. Specifically, as county Medicare Advantage penetration rates increase, avoidable hospitalizations decrease for both Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare beneficiaries.
“The positive policy environment encouraging growth in the number of Medicare Advantage plans will improve access to Medicare Advantage to the benefit of all Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.”
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