Insurers: Nearly All Seniors Happy With Medicare Advantage

The Hill by Elise Viebeck –

February 28, 2013:

The health insurance industry touted a poll Thursday finding that nine in 10 seniors are happy with their Medicare Advantage (MA) coverage.

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) also warned that only 4 percent of the healthcare law’s cuts to MA have taken effect so far.

The messaging is part of AHIP’s push against further Medicare Advantage cuts proposed by the Obama administration this month.
The Health and Human Services Department said Feb. 15 that the private Medicare plans will face a 2.2 percent payment cut in 2014.

“These steep cuts to Medicare Advantage will result in seniors losing the benefits they like and rely on today,” said Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP, in a statement Thursday.

The survey, commissioned by AHIP, found extremely high satisfaction among seniors on MA.

Ninety-four percent said they are satisfied with the quality of their care, 90 percent are satisfied with their benefits and 81 percent are satisfied with their out-of-pocket expenses, the poll found.

AHIP called these findings “consistent with a 2007 satisfaction survey” on MA plans.

Source: John & Rusty Report via Choice Admin