Seniors Choose Medicare Advantage in Record Numbers but Competition is Declining

Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2023) – The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) released the following statement in response to Medicare open enrollment figures: 

“Medicare Advantage (MA) remains the choice of America’s seniors, with more than 1.5 million new people joining MA in the latest Medicare open enrollment period. Enrollment in MA now exceeds traditional fee-for-service Medicare for the first time, reflecting consumers’ desires for the value, coordination and additional benefits offered by many MA plans. ACHP member companies are proud to cover one-third of all beneficiaries in 5-Star plans, despite representing only 10 percent of all MA enrollees.  

While ACHP is thrilled that more than 30 million seniors and counting are enrolled in MA, we are concerned with a recent report that found nearly 4 out of every 5 new MA enrollees joined two large for-profit carriers. Such lopsided enrollment risks serious consequences for robust consumer choice, vigorous competition in the market and incentives to innovate and drive high-quality care. 

ACHP and its member companies support a strong MA program that raises the bar on quality, advances equity and furthers meaningful progress towards value – preferably delivered in one’s local community. We embrace the challenge of delivering high-quality, affordable, coverage and care to the millions of seniors who choose MA, and we urge policymakers to partner with us to foster innovation and competition that puts consumers first.”

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About ACHP  

The Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP) represents the nation’s top-performing nonprofit health companies, which serve tens of millions of Americans in 37 states and D.C. ACHP member plans collaborate with providers on high-quality coverage and care — leading the industry in practical reforms.   

ACHP is the voice of a unique payer-provider partnership model advancing proven solutions that deliver better value for patients, employers and taxpayers. Contact us for case studies and data about member innovations and results.