Report: Medicare Advantage Delivers Better Services, Better Access to Care, Better Value

Medicare Advantage delivers lower costs, more choices, and high-quality health care to more than 28 million Americans. In fact, 93% of senior voters with Medicare Advantage say they are satisfied with their coverage.

Analysis of enrollment data from the first half of the 2022 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) showed the increasing value that Medicare Advantage delivers for seniors and people with disabilities. The Medicare AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year and allows Medicare-eligible Americans to join, switch, or drop a Medicare plan.

The Medicare AEP Half-Time Report from eHealth – a technology company that connects Americans with quality, affordable health insurance – provides a snapshot of Medicare Annual Enrollment premiums and plan selection trends, including coverage choices made by Medicare beneficiaries.

Below are some of the report’s key findings for Medicare Advantage plans:

$0 premium plans are popular

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 59% of 2022 Medicare Advantage plans have no monthly premium. 88% of Medicare Advantage plans selected by eHealth customers during the first half of the Annual Enrollment Period had $0 monthly premiums.

Average monthly premiums of Medicare Advantage plans chosen by eHealth customers were just $4, even lower than in 2021 ($5/month) and 2019 ($10/month).

Medicare Part D plans continue to deliver value

Premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans have been dependable year-over-year, delivering high-quality value for the 50 million Americans enrolled.

The average monthly premium for Medicare Part D plans selected by eHealth customers was $21. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug benefits, helping even more seniors and people with disabilities access the medications they need at a cost they can afford.

Medicare Advantage offers comprehensive coverage, choice, and value

Medicare Advantage is a successful partnership between the government and health insurance providers to deliver high-quality, affordable health coverage and peace of mind for millions of Americans. On average, eligible seniors and people with disabilities have 39 Medicare Advantage plans to choose from in 2022, allowing Americans to select the coverage that is right for them. Medicare Advantage offers additional benefits that original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as integrated vision, hearing, and dental benefits, a cap on out-of-pocket costs, transportation to medical appointments, and fitness programs.