Enrollment in Medicare Advantage (MA) has topped 30 million, according to new data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
This represents coverage across 776 contracts, according to the data, as of Jan. 1 payments, which reflect enrollments accepted through Dec. 2. Enrollment in standalone prescription drug plans was also about 22.7 million, bringing total enrollment across all types of private Medicare plans to nearly 50.3 million.
This represents growth of about 2 million from 2022. An analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation found that enrollment in MA plans was about 28 million last year.
Enrollment in the program has surged over the past decade and now encompasses nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries.
In a statement, America's Health Insurance Plans President Matt Eyles lauded the landmark.
“This milestone shows that people are choosing MA for better affordability and health outcomes. The continued growth of the program is a testament to the tremendous value MA offers to all enrollees, and especially those with chronic illnesses who require care coordination and management, as well as those with low incomes who rely on MA’s access to additional benefits at little or no cost," Eyles said.
MA enrollment numbers were a key topic at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference last week, with some insurers, like Humana, posting significant increases, while others, like CVS Health, called their performance during the annual enrollment period "disappointing."