Medicare Advantage: New methods, new models, new policy implications
Over a quarter of the Medicare population is now enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, and many proposals for Medicare reform would build on the MA program. The papers in this session focus on three key programmatic issues. The first paper shows that increasing concentration in the MA market may be driving up premiums, which may affect the attractiveness of building on the current model. The second explores the sensitivity of beneficiaries to premiums and the persistence of plan enrollment: both are critically important to understanding if increased enrollment and plan competition will drive price or quality improvements. The third paper looks at an aspect of plan pricing -- rebates to consumers -- and their effect on enrollment and health outcomes. Each of the papers addresses an interesting economic issue, uses advanced methods, and has policy relevant conclusions. In addition, the session as a whole will provide an excellent overview of this increasingly important part of the Medicare program.