Six reasons seniors are increasingly choosing Medicare Advantage

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. Medicare Advantage now serves more than 28 million Americans – with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies collectively covering more than four million people in Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage has a proven track record of reducing costs and improving care as an effective public-private partnership between health insurers and the government. Not surprisingly, enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans more than doubled between 2011-2021. A quick look at the facts shows why beneficiaries are increasingly choosing Medicare Advantage over the traditional fee-for-service Medicare program.

1. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are extremely satisfied with their health care coverage.
   • 98% of beneficiaries say they are satisfied with their Medicare Advantage plan, and 97% express satisfaction with their network of physicians, hospitals and specialists.
2. Medicare Advantage plans outperform traditional fee-for-service Medicare on a variety of quality measures.
   • Medicare Advantage plans offer significant initiatives in primary care and preventive services, care coordination, case management and other activities designed to improve quality, with an emphasis on those with chronic conditions.
3. Medicare Advantage drives down out-of-pocket health care costs for beneficiaries.
   • Medicare Advantage beneficiaries report spending nearly $2,000 less on out-of-pocket costs and premiums annually.
4. Medicare Advantage offers traditional Medicare benefits – and more – at a lower cost to beneficiaries.
   • Medicare Advantage covers all Medicare-covered services like hospital and physician services for 24% less than fee-for-service Medicare, allowing MA plans to provide additional benefits and reduced cost sharing for beneficiaries.
5. Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits to support beneficiaries before they experience a major health event.
   • Many Medicare Advantage plans are supporting members by increasing telehealth services, addressing mental health and loneliness, connecting members to healthy meal delivery and groceries, supporting vaccination efforts and managing their overall care needs.
6. Medicare Advantage plans often include supplemental benefits not included in traditional fee-for-service Medicare coverage.
   • In 2022, 98% of individual Medicare Advantage plans included eye exam and/or eyeglasses coverage, 97% included fitness benefits, 95% included hearing exams and/or aids coverage, 94% included dental coverage, and 81% included over-the-counter benefits.