Medicare
New & Noteworthy
- Medicare Advantage
Financial Performance of Medicare Advantage and Group Market Insurers Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
The drop in health care utilization during the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to higher gross margins and lower medical loss among many private insurance plans. Findings suggest that health insurers in most markets have become more profitable during the pandemic.
- Financing
Medicare’s Finances Have Gotten Much Worse in Recent Years, Foreshadowing Tough Choices for November’s Winners
This Policy Watch post discusses the latest Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund solvency projections, which show the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt Medicare’s financial outlook, and foreshadow the tough choices facing the next President and Congress. - Part D
Options to Make Medicare More Affordable For Beneficiaries Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
Medicare covers more than 60 million Americans, but gaps in coverage and high cost-sharing requirements can make health care difficult to afford. We examined policy options to make Medicare more affordable, including the likely cost & how many people would be helped. - income & Assets
Does Education Narrow the Gap in Wealth Among Older Adults, by Race and Ethnicity?
Income and wealth inequality persists across generations, adversely affecting people in communities of color at all ages. Older Black and Hispanic adults face their retirement years with less financial security and fewer resources to absorb the financial shock of a major health expense compared to older White adults. - Racial Disparities
Racial and Ethnic Health Inequities and Medicare
This chart collection examines the characteristics, experiences, and outcomes of the Medicare population by race and ethnicity. It includes data to describe demographics, health status and disease prevalence, health coverage, access to care and service utilization, and health outcomes, including data pertaining to disparities related to COVID-19.
Medicare advantage statistics
Latest Polling59%
of Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans operated by UnitedHealthcare, Humana, or BlueCross BlueShield affiliates in 2019. (2019 Issue Brief)
29%
of new Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans during their first year on Medicare in 2016. (2019 Issue Brief)
34%
of all Medicare beneficiaries (22 million people) are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. (2019 Issue Brief)
62%
of the 22 million Medicare Advantage enrollees in 2019 are in in HMOs, with the rest in local or regional PPOs. (2019 Fact Sheet)
The Essentials
- Basics
An Overview of Medicare Coverage
Medicare plays a key role in providing health care and financial security to more than 60 million older people and younger people with disabilities. - federal budget
The Facts on Medicare Spending
Medicare spending was 15 percent of total federal spending in 2018. Benefit payments totaled $731 billion that year. - income and assets
Finances of Medicare Beneficiaries, 2016-2035
Half of all Medicare beneficiaries had incomes below $26,200 per person in 2016 and savings below $74,450. - medicare part d
An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit
- quiz
How Much Do You Know About Medicare?
Take this quiz to find out how much you know about Medicare, the people it serves, the benefits it covers, and its financial status.
Latest from Kaiser Health News
-
Countless Homebound Patients Still Wait for Covid Vaccine Despite Seniors’ Priority
-
Medicare Cuts Payment to 774 Hospitals Over Patient Complications
-
Look Up Your Hospital: Is It Being Penalized By Medicare?
-
Montana’s Health Policy MVP Takes Her Playbook on the Road
-
4 Vital Health Issues — Not Tied to Covid — That Congress Addressed in Massive Spending Bill
-
Trump’s Pardons Included Health Care Execs Behind Massive Frauds