ºÚÁÏÍø

This week, our In Focus section examines Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment changes resulting from the 2020 Annual Election Period (AEP). The AEP takes runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and provides an opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for, change, or disenroll from an MA plan for the upcoming year. The majority of enrollment changes occur during this period, but depending on beneficiary circumstances, additional opportunities may exist throughout the year to change coverage. Initial findings from the enrollment data suggest:

Read More

This week, our In Focus section comes from HMA Principal Eric Hammelman and Senior Consultant Narda Ipakchi. Today, Medicare beneficiaries with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) are only eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans if they select a MA Special Needs Plan (SNP) that specifically serves individuals with ESRD or develop ESRD while already enrolled in a MA plan. In 2018, approximately 121,000 MA enrollees (0.6 percent of the MA population) had diagnoses of ESRD, accounting for approximately 20 percent of the total Medicare ESRD population.^[1] The 21st Century Cures Act, which was passed in 2016, included a provision that alters the eligibility and enrollment options for Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD. Starting in 2021, Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD will be able to enroll in any MA plan in their area. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates MA enrollment of individuals with ESRD will nearly double to 242,000 in 2024, or approximately 41 percent of the total Medicare ESRD population.^[2]

Read More