Medicare

New & Noteworthy

Medicare Advantage in Rural Areas
While most Medicare Advantage enrollees live in metro areas, enrollment is growing faster in rural areas. In 2023, 40% of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries in rural counties are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, nearly quadruple the share in 2010 (11%).
Beneficiaries Under Age 65 With Disabilities Experience More Medicare Problems Than Older Beneficiaries
Seventy percent of beneficiaries under age 65 with disabilities had a problem with their insurance in the last year. Problems include denials or delays in prior approval and insurance not paying for care they thought was covered.
An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit
In 2023, more than 50 million of the 65 million people covered by Medicare are enrolled in Part D plans. This fact sheet provides an overview of the Medicare Part D program, plan availability, enrollment, and spending and financing,
How Many Physicians Have Opted Out of the Medicare Program?
1.1% of non-pediatric physicians have formally opted-out of Medicare in 2023, with the share varying by specialty. Among psychiatrists, 7.7% have opted out, the highest share of any specialty. They account for 40.2% of physicians who have opted out.

Data Visualization

The Facts About Medicare Spending

This interactive provides the facts on Medicare spending. Medicare, which serves 65 million people and accounts for 13 percent of the federal budget and 21 percent of national health spending, is often the focus of discussions about health expenditures, health care afforbability and the sustainability of federal health programs.

Explore data on enrollment growth, Medicare spending trends overall and per person, growth in Medicare spending relative to private insurance, spending on benefits and Medicare Advantage, Part A trust fund solvency challenges, and growth in out-of-pocket spending by beneficiaries.