A recent Washington Post editorial does a disservice to the more than 33 million seniors and people with disabilities who choose Medicare Advantage because it’s the part of Medicare that gives them better health care at far lower costs. For America’s seniors, Medicare coverage is not a political issue. It’s a kitchen table issue.
Seniors of all political persuasions prefer Medicare Advantage, and enrollment is disproportionately high among seniors from diverse communities and those living on low incomes. That’s because seniors in Medicare Advantage save $2,500 annually, while receiving better benefits and superior health outcomes than enrollees in fee-for-service Medicare. Studies show Medicare Advantage outperforms fee-for-service in nine out of 10 quality measures focused on prevention and chronic care and that seniors in Medicare Advantage experience fewer readmissions, fewer preventable hospitalizations and lower rates of high-risk medication use than those in fee-for-service. Notably, the overwhelming majority of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries continue to say they are satisfied with their coverage and care.
Medicare Advantage plans operate in a highly competitive and heavily regulated environment with intensive review of plan bids, mandatory federal audits and rebate requirements if care thresholds are not met. This rigorous framework ensures value for beneficiaries and the government alike. Medicare Advantage plans welcome data-driven evaluations focused on how to further improve the program for seniors. Meanwhile, what urgently needs reform is fee-for-service Medicare, which continues to lag behind Medicare Advantage on what matters most to seniors: affordability, quality and outcomes.
To learn more about the value of Medicare Advantage, click here.