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More Diverse Groups Continue to Choose Medicare Advantage Over Original Medicare

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New research shows Medicare Advantage serves more women, Hispanic Americans, Black Americans, older Americans, and Americans with lower incomes.

Published Jan 17, 2024 • by AHIP

Read time: 1 minutes and 22 seconds

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Medicare Advantage enrollment continues to grow, thanks to an influx of Americans from diverse backgrounds and rural areas of the country.

The news: Compared to original Medicare, ÐÜèÊÓƵfound Medicare Advantage serves more women, Hispanic Americans, Black Americans, older Americans, and Americans with lower incomes.

The report is the latest in a series of research that has found Medicare Advantage , drives better health care outcomes, and has better preventive treatment for seniors and people with disabilities.

The findings, explained: The report looked at population data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2021, the most recent year of data available.

The report found that:

  • Medicare Advantage had a higher overall share of diverse populations (29%) compared to original Medicare (19%).
  • Around 59% of Hispanic or Latino individuals and 57% of Black individuals eligible for Medicare chose Medicare Advantage plans. Fifty-seven percent of enrollees with Medicare Advantage were female.
  • Medicare Advantage plans had a higher percentage of enrollees aged 75 years and older: 39% compared to 36% for original Medicare.
  • More than half – 60% – of individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare benefits were enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

The standout stat: Four million Medicare Advantage enrollees live in rural areas.

The bottom line: The fact that Medicare Advantage serves so many populations so well is a testament to its value to the many different seniors and people with disabilities who rely on it, as well as to taxpayers. There's a reason why Americans from all corners of the country and all backgrounds are choosing Medicare Advantage — it provides better services, better access to care, and better value.

  • Read the full demographics report.
  • Read how Medicare Advantage enrollees have better outcomes than people in original Medicare.
  •  how Medicare Advantage could boost the federal trust fund by up to 17 years.
  • Check out Medicare Advantage by the numbers.

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Medicare Advantage