From America's Health Insurance Plans responding to an HHS report, to large first quarter enrollment growth, here are nine recent headlines about Medicare Advantage:
1. Medicare Advantage enrollment saw major growth across the insurance industry in the first quarter of 2022.
2. The new dominance of Medicare Advantage is likely to change healthcare as we know it, according to an opinion piece published May 23 in JAMA Network. The article was written by David Blumenthal, MD, and Gretchen Jacobson, PhD. Dr. Blumenthal is president of the New York City-based Commonwealth Fund, and Dr. Jacobson is vice president of its Medicare program.
3. These 25 counties offered the most Medicare Advantage plans in 2022.
4. Ohio counties offered the most Medicare Advantage plans — here's why.
5. Winston Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health signed a letter of intent May 18 to own a portion of HealthTeam Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan providing coverage to more than 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the state. HealthTeam Advantage is owned by Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health. Cone Health will maintain majority ownership.
6. Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross is partnering with Uno Health to help enroll Medicare Advantage members into state and federal government programs.
7. Newark, Del.-based ChristianaCare will open a separate practice in the fall exclusively for members of the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware Medicare Advantage plans, which were developed last year between ChristianaCare and Dover, Del.-based Bayhealth.
8. CMS issued its final 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D rule that aims to expand access to care and improve health equity through lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs and improved consumer protections.
9. America's Health Insurance Plans criticized the HHS Office of the Inspector General's April 27 report that found Medicare Advantage organizations sometimes delayed or denied enrollees' access to services even though the request met Medicare coverage rules. The health insurer lobby and trade group said Medicare Advantage is improving affordability and access to high-quality care for the people it serves.