Seniors in Medicare Advantage spent fewer days in a hospital and had fewer hospital re-admissions, according to an analysis by America's Health Insurance Plans.
The AHIP study also indicates seniors were also less likely to have "potentially avoidable" admissions for common conditions ranging from uncontrolled diabetes to dehydration.
"Medicare Advantage plans coordinate care, help seniors manage chronic conditions and focus on prevention to help seniors stay healthy in the first place," said Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP.
The study analyzed data on hospital admissions in California and Nevada compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The unique data in these states allows for direct comparisons of use rates among enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans and in FFS Medicare.
Key findings from the report include:
- Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in California spent 30 percent fewer days in the hospital than patients with FFS Medicare; in Nevada, seniors in Medicare Advantage plans spent 23 percent fewer days in the hospital.
- Enrollees were re-admitted to the hospital in the same quarter for the same condition 15 percent less often in California and 33 percent less often in Nevada compared to FFS Medicare.
- In both California and Nevada, seniors in the program were 6 percent less likely than seniors in FFS Medicare to be admitted to the hospital for conditions described by AHRQ as "potentially avoidable," such as dehydration, urinary tract infection or uncontrolled diabetes.
"The entire Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage, should be carefully evaluated as part of comprehensive healthcare reform," said Ignagni. "However, seniors in Medicare Advantage should not be forced to fund a disproportionate share of the costs to reform the healthcare system."