This report presents trends in enrollment in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance coverage, using data on the number of policies in force as of December 2012 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC dataset contains information on most Medigap policies in force in the U.S., representing approximately 10.2 million covered lives, with policies from 262 carriers.
Unadjusted inpatient hospital prices per admission grew by 8.2% per year from 2008 to 2010 for the commercially insured population (under age 65 years) in the MarketScan data set. We estimate that approximately 1.3 to 1.9 percentage points of the growth in prices can be attributed to increased intensity per admission. Thus, we estimate that intensity-adjusted price increases ranged from 6.2% to 6.8% annually in the 2008-2010 period. Price levels and trends varied considerably across admission types, states, and localities.
New data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary
Survey (MCBS) show that Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare’s private
comprehensive health plans, continue to be a vital source of coverage for
low-income and minority beneficiaries in 2011.
In this report—an update to AHIP’s 2005 Innovations in Medicaid Managed Care book—we provide details about 17 health plan initiatives dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2011 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.
To make health care coverage more affordable, the nation must address the soaring cost of medical care that continues to rise at an unsustainable rate. Research shows that higher health care spending is a result of higher health care prices.
In December 2012, AHIP conducted two surveys of member health plans regarding new regulatory guidelines released by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Plans were asked to submit responses to surveys concerning: 1) the proposed expansion of the federal rate review and data submission process, and 2) the proposed risk adjustment and reinsurance data collection process.
AHIP’s Center for Policy and Research conducts and publishes original research and provides analysis and commentary on the research of others. It seeks to demonstrate the value proposition of private health insurance plans, and educate the policy community and news media about key products and market segments that are of interest to policymakers.
In the last several years, AHIP has produced a series of reports highlighting health plans’ innovative programs and tools to drive improvements in patient care.
The Affordable Care Act identified the goal of reducing preventable hospital readmissions as an important national priority. Health insurance plans have been addressing the root causes of readmissions for many years, through patient-centered programs.