Higher-risk enrollees more likely to use Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits, Elevance Health finds

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. 

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The report, published July 26, broke down supplemental benefit use for 861,657 beneficiaries enrolled in Elevance Health’s Medicare Advantage plans in 2022. 

According to the report, 83 percent of members dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid used supplemental benefits in 2022, and 75 percent of non-dual eligible members used the benefits. 

Almost all Medicare Advantage plans offer vision, hearing, dental and fitness benefits, according to an analysis from KFF. Around 85 percent of plans offer over-the-counter benefits, 70 percent offer meal assistance and 40 percent offer transportation assistance. 

Elevance Health enrollees who used transportation benefits were more likely to have higher health risk scores and to have lower socioeconomic status. 

Members who used over-the-counter benefits were more likely to have lower socioeconomic status, and members who used grocery benefits were more likely to live in food deserts than those who did not use the benefits, according to the report. 

Read the full report here.

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