The Beneficiary Experience: The Costs of Medicare Advantage
December 4, 2025
Medicare is becoming more costly and beneficiaries are increasingly struggling to afford care. In 2023, 41% of callers to the
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Medicare Advantage
People who choose Medicare Advantage (MA) face additional hurdles during the initial enrollment and annual plan selection processes. The MA plan choice landscape is cluttered, complicated, and confusing. Other MA features, like prior authorization, narrow provider networks, and predatory plan marketing, can worsen decision-making and access problems. It is also expensive. MA costs more, both overall and per enrollee, than Original Medicare. This drives up spending for the program, beneficiaries, and taxpayers; though little is known about how plans are using these dollars, or about overall plan quality. As MA enrollment grows, addressing its financing flaws and programmatic pitfalls becomes ever-more important. We support comprehensive reforms to ensure all beneficiaries can rely on their earned Medicare coverage.
Medicare Advantage Marketing, Brokers, and Agents
December 3, 2025
Agents and brokers for MA plans receive commissions per enrollment and often receive additional “administrative” bonuses that balloon MA spending. These financial incentives drive aggressive and misleading marketing aimed at people looking for coverage. As a result, beneficiaries fall into the “MA Trap,” finding themselves enrolled in an MA plan that doesn’t meet their needs and without an efficient way to switch back to Original Medicare.
Beneficiary Experiences With Medicare Advantage Marketing
December 3, 2025
As the cost of care rises, beneficiaries increasingly look for plans that promise discounts or additional benefits. MA plans take advantage of this and flood potential beneficiaries with marketing calls, mailers, ads, and even in-person solicitation that can be deceptive and easily misunderstood.
Beneficiary Experiences with Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits
December 3, 2025
Original Medicare has significant gaps in coverage, including very limited coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. By advertising supplemental benefits that seem to fill these gaps and help tackle the cost of care and living, MA plans captivate the attention of beneficiaries struggling to afford care. But these benefits are not standardized or clearly communicated, falling short of their original promises.
Most Medicare Advantage Enrollees Sacrifice Access to Wide Network of Medicare Providers
November 13, 2025
Medicare Open Enrollment is currently underway and runs until December 7. During this period, people with Medicare can make changes
Harm to Medicare Advantage Enrollees From Directory Errors and Inadequate Networks
October 23, 2025
Two important developments reveal continuing issues with provider directories and Medicare Advantage (MA) networks. Some Directory Information Now on Plan
Final Rule and New Special Enrollment Period Will Aid Those Misled by Provider Directories
September 25, 2025
Earlier this month, we flagged important changes coming to Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) for the upcoming Fall Open Enrollment period,
Important Medicare Plan Finder Improvements Planned This Fall, More Work Needed
September 11, 2025
When people consider enrolling in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, one of their major tools is Medicare Plan Finder (MPF). This
Medicare Advantage Proliferation and the Cluttered Plan Landscape
August 6, 2025
In 2018, the average Medicare beneficiary had 21 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans from six insurers to choose from. By 2024,
The Beneficiary Experience: The Costs of Medicare Advantage
December 4, 2025
Medicare is becoming more costly and beneficiaries are increasingly struggling to afford care. In 2023, 41% of callers to the
Medicare Advantage Marketing, Brokers, and Agents
December 3, 2025
Agents and brokers for MA plans receive commissions per enrollment and often receive additional “administrative” bonuses that balloon MA spending. These financial incentives drive aggressive and misleading marketing aimed at people looking for coverage. As a result, beneficiaries fall into the “MA Trap,” finding themselves enrolled in an MA plan that doesn’t meet their needs and without an efficient way to switch back to Original Medicare.
Beneficiary Experiences With Medicare Advantage Marketing
December 3, 2025
As the cost of care rises, beneficiaries increasingly look for plans that promise discounts or additional benefits. MA plans take advantage of this and flood potential beneficiaries with marketing calls, mailers, ads, and even in-person solicitation that can be deceptive and easily misunderstood.
Beneficiary Experiences with Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits
December 3, 2025
Original Medicare has significant gaps in coverage, including very limited coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. By advertising supplemental benefits that seem to fill these gaps and help tackle the cost of care and living, MA plans captivate the attention of beneficiaries struggling to afford care. But these benefits are not standardized or clearly communicated, falling short of their original promises.
Most Medicare Advantage Enrollees Sacrifice Access to Wide Network of Medicare Providers
November 13, 2025
Medicare Open Enrollment is currently underway and runs until December 7. During this period, people with Medicare can make changes
Harm to Medicare Advantage Enrollees From Directory Errors and Inadequate Networks
October 23, 2025
Two important developments reveal continuing issues with provider directories and Medicare Advantage (MA) networks. Some Directory Information Now on Plan
Final Rule and New Special Enrollment Period Will Aid Those Misled by Provider Directories
September 25, 2025
Earlier this month, we flagged important changes coming to Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) for the upcoming Fall Open Enrollment period,
Important Medicare Plan Finder Improvements Planned This Fall, More Work Needed
September 11, 2025
When people consider enrolling in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, one of their major tools is Medicare Plan Finder (MPF). This
Medicare Advantage Proliferation and the Cluttered Plan Landscape
August 6, 2025
In 2018, the average Medicare beneficiary had 21 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans from six insurers to choose from. By 2024,