Medicare advantage enrollment hits record high

An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Mathematica Policy Research found that despite concerns  the health law's future payment cuts would have a chilling effect, Medicare Advantage enrollment increased by nearly 10 percent last year and by 30 percent since 2010.

The Hill: Enrollment In Private Medicare Plans Hits Record High
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage hit a record 14.4 million this year, challenging predictions that ObamaCare's cuts will kill the private plans. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reported Monday that enrollment in Medicare Advantage grew by nearly 10 percent in the last year and by 30 percent since 2010 (Viebeck, 6/10).

CQ HealthBeat: Medicare Advantage Plans Worry About Cuts, But Enrollment Keeps Growing
The number of seniors in the private Medicare Advantage plans tripled in the past seven years, according to an analysis released Monday. But future payment cuts could cause insurers to reduce benefits or increase cost-sharing, says a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association official. The Medicare Advantage program grew from 5.3 million people in 2004 to a record 14.4 million in 2013, according to the analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Mathematica Policy Research Inc. From 2012 to 2013 alone, the program grew by 10 percent -; or by 1 million people (Adams, 6/10).

Modern Healthcare: Medicare Advantage Enrollment Rose, Despite ACA, Kaiser Report Shows
Despite concern that the healthcare reform law would dampen Medicare Advantage enrollment, the opposite has happened so far, according the Kaiser Family Foundation. Between the beginning of 2012 and March 2013, 1 million more beneficiaries enrolled in the program, a nearly 10% year-over-year increase, bringing total Medicare Advantage enrollment to 14.4 million this year, according to a new report by Kaiser and Mathematica Policy Research. Since 2009, enrollment in MA had grown 30% (Block, 6/10).