Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans has increased by 10% over 2011, with 12.8 million beneficiaries enrolled in such plans in 2012, according to new federal data.
According to the data, about 25% of all Medicare beneficiaries now are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Average premiums have decreased by 7%, from $33.97 to $31.54, the data show.
However, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that enrollment in MA plans will decline by four million by 2019.
CBO said the decline will result from rising premiums caused by $200 billion in spending cuts to MA plans through the federal health reform law (Fiegl, American Medical News, 2/13).
