The Health Wonk Shop: Unpacking the Controversy Over Medicare Advantage

Controversy has arisen recently over a Biden Administration proposal for changes to payments to insurers for the coming year, including how the health risk of enrollees is captured, as well as a plan for recouping payments not supported by audits. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates the payments to plans per enrollee would increase by 1% in 2024, and supporters argue the approach would help to reduce inappropriate overpayments to insurers. Critics, including the insurance industry and Republicans in Congress, contend that this represents a cut to Medicare and will lead to higher costs for beneficiaries. On Tuesday, March 21 at 12p.m. ET, three experts join series moderator Larry Levitt in a 45-minute discussion on Medicare Advantage, addressing such questions as: What has driven the growth in Medicare Advantage enrollment? What are the implications of enrollment being concentrated in a few insurance firms? Is the federal government overpaying plans?…