Medicare

On Tuesday, October 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of July 2023, over 66.2 million people are enrolled in Medicare; nearly 34 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 32.2 million have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 91.5 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP. More than 84.5 million individuals have Medicaid and over seven million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs.

KFF recently released an issue brief that describes the findings from the organization’s nationally representative survey on Medicare beneficiary satisfaction. The brief, “Overall Satisfaction with Medicare is High, But Beneficiaries Under Age 65 With Disabilities Experience More Insurance Problems Than Older Beneficiaries” presents findings from KFF’s 2023 Survey of Consumer Experiences with Health Insurance. Based on the survey, Medicare beneficiaries, overall, are more satisfied with their health insurance coverage than adults with other types of insurance; however, those Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 with disabilities are less likely than those age 65 or older to give positive ratings to the overall performance...

On Friday, September 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of June 2023, over 66 million people are enrolled in Medicare; more than 33.9 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 32 million have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 92.6 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP; more than 85.6 million individuals have Medicaid and nearly seven million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs.

On Thursday, August 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of May 2023, over 65.9 million people are enrolled in Medicare; more than 33.9 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 32 million have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 93.8 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP; more than 86.8 million individuals have Medicaid and over seven million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs.

AARP recently released an article exploring the evolving landscape of telehealth within Medicare, spotlighting its transformation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With telehealth adoption soaring to 40% among Medicare beneficiaries in 2020, the article accentuates the significance of audio-only visits and the imminent legislative choice regarding post-2024 coverage. AARP also discusses the importance of these virtual services in ensuring comprehensive healthcare access while addressing potential challenges like accessibility, cost implications, and concerns of misuse.

On Monday, July 31, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of April 2023, over 65.8 million people are enrolled in Medicare; more than 33.9 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 31.9 have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 94.1 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP; more than 87 million individuals have Medicaid and nearly 7.1 million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs...

On Tuesday, June 29, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of March 2023, over 65.7 million people are enrolled in Medicare; nearly 34 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 31.7 have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 93.8 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP; more than 86.7 million individuals have Medicaid and more than 7.1 million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs.

On March 15th, the Department of Health and Human Services, through CMS, announced 27 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part B that may have lower beneficiary coinsurances. From April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023, some people with Medicare who take these drugs may save between $2 and $390 per average dose, depending on the beneficiary’s coverage. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, drug companies that raise their drug prices faster than the rate of information are required to pay a rebate to Medicare. Starting April 1, 2023, Medicare beneficiaries may pay a lower coinsurance for certain Part B drugs if the drug’s price increased faster than the rate of inflation in a benchmark quarter.

AARP’s Public Policy Institute released a report titled “Underused Medicare Savings Programs Can Help Many More Older Adults Afford Health Care”. Medicare Savings Programs or MSPs provide financial assistance with certain Medicare costs for eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and are administered by state Medicaid agencies. According to the report, about 16 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in MSPs; however, the number of individuals eligible for these programs is estimated to be much higher. The paper discusses the findings from the organization’s analysis and research, and proposes areas states can consider to increase enrollment and expand eligibility.

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) have released an updated data book which presents information on the demographic and other personal characteristics, expenditures, and health care utilization of individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage.