Seniors In Traditional Medicare Are Moving To Private Advantage Plans, Study Finds
Also in the news is another examination of the reduction in appeals waits for Medicare beneficiaries.
The Hill:
Seniors Switching To Medicare Advantage, Study Finds
Medicare Advantage is a popular choice for seniors already enrolled in traditional Medicare. That's the conclusion of a new study released Monday, which found that a majority of beneficiaries who enrolled in private Medicare plans between 2006 and 2011 were switching from the main program. (Viebeck, 1/5)
The Wall Street Journal's Total Return:
Wait Time For Medicare Appeals Is Cut In Half
Some good news for Medicare beneficiaries to start the new year: The wait time for hearings of Medicare appeals has been cut by more than half. Every year, Medicare denies millions of claims, leaving beneficiaries with billions of dollars in unexpected bills. Such decisions can be appealed, but the process—which has five levels, in all—can be complicated and time-consuming. (Ruffenach, 1/5)
Earlier Kaiser Health News coverage: Seniors’ Wait For A Medicare Appeal Is Cut In Half (Jaffe, 12/23)