Taxpayers Spend 22% More Per Patient to Support Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage was supposed to find efficiencies, but instead is costing taxpayers an extra $83 billion a year

The Medicare Advantage program enrolls over half of Medicare beneficiaries. However, the $83-billion-per-year overpayment of plans, which amounts to more than 8% of Medicare’s total budget, is unsustainable.
The Medicare Advantage program enrolls over half of Medicare beneficiaries. However, the $83-billion-per-year overpayment of plans, which amounts to more than 8% of Medicare’s total budget, is unsustainable.
Dragos Condrea/Envato
Share
The Medicare Advantage program enrolls over half of Medicare beneficiaries. However, the $83-billion-per-year overpayment of plans, which amounts to more than 8% of Medicare’s total budget, is unsustainable.
The Medicare Advantage program enrolls over half of Medicare beneficiaries. However, the $83-billion-per-year overpayment of plans, which amounts to more than 8% of Medicare’s total budget, is unsustainable.
Dragos Condrea/Envato
Taxpayers Spend 22% More Per Patient to Support Medicare Advantage
Copy

Medicare Advantage – the commercial alternative to traditional Medicare – is drawing down federal health care funds, costing taxpayers an extra 22% per enrollee to the tune of US$83 billion a year.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, was supposed to save the government money. The competition among private insurance companies, and with traditional Medicare, to manage patient care was meant to give insurance companies an incentive to find efficiencies. Instead, the program’s payment rules overpay insurance companies on the taxpayer’s dime.

Read the full article on The Conversation.

Less than a year before Rhode Island’s Democratic primary, McKee and campaign manager Rob Silverstein have parted ways, leaving the governor to regroup amid low approval ratings and potential challenges from Helena Foulkes, Joe Shekarchi, and Peter Neronha
As Hurricane Erin pushes north, Rhode Island beaches are bracing for dangerous rip currents and rough surf. Officials warn swimmers to stay cautious, with conditions expected to worsen midweek along the Ocean State’s southern coast
From her Pawtucket mill studio to an upcoming solo show at Boston’s Gallery NAGA, multi-media artist Kirstin Lamb reflects on her journey, inspirations, and the intricate dot-based paintings that blend Impressionism, cross-stitch, and digital design
The strike that began May 15 forced the Providence psychiatric hospital to close roughly half its beds
After multiple bat sightings at the Friendship Street building, Rhode Island’s Department of Children, Youth and Families shifted to remote work. Union leaders say the infestation highlights deeper health and safety issues as the state weighs renewing the lease