The gap in out-of-pocket spending between Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service beneficiaries is widening, according to a report from the Better Medicare Alliance.
The pro-Medicare Advantage group, backed by major insurers, commissioned the analysis, which was conducted by ATI Advisory. The report, based on data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, and was published June 16.
Here are five findings to know:
- In 2022, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spent $3,486 less out of pocket on healthcare costs than fee-for-service enrollees.
- The average difference in spending between fee-for-service and MA enrollees grew by 37% from 2021 to 2022, or about $945.
- More than half of Medicare Advantage enrollees reported incomes less than half of the federal poverty level, compared to one in three FFS enrollees.
- In 2022, 13% of MA enrollees reported a cost burden from healthcare expenses, compared to 20% of FFS beneficiaries.
- Medicare Advantage and FFS beneficiaries reported similar levels of satisfaction with their access to and quality of care in 2022.
Read the full report here.
