A growing number of Medicare Advantage plans will be adding nonmedical supplemental benefits in 2023, with in-home support services and caregiver supports topping the list.
The number of MA plans offering nonmedical supplemental benefits will expand by nearly 40% from 1,034 in 2022 to 1,438 next year, according to a report by ATI Advisory. Caregiver supports account for the largest increase at 83.1%, while in-home support services will increase 49.7%. However, fewer MA plans will offer adult day services in 2023. ATI attributed the decline to a number of day service providers shutting their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of states and counties offering expanded supplemental benefits will also increase next year. North Dakota and Washington, DC, will be offering them for the first time, while the number of counties covered by plans offering supplemental benefits will increase in nine states.
At 100%, Portland, OR-based nonprofit Cambia Health Solutions had the highest percentage of plans offering supplemental benefits. Next-highest were Long Beach, CA-based Molina Healthcare at 98.2% and Urbana, IL-based Carle Foundation at 88.6%. On a percentage basis, health insurance giants Humana and Cigna had the smallest percentage of plans offering supplemental benefits at 18% and 23.7% respectively.
Supplemental benefits, which include everything from home care to transportation to home-delivered meals have helped MA plans gain in popularity among Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found MA plans accounted for 48% of Medicare enrollees this year compared to 52% for traditional Medicare fee-for-service plans. MA plans are expected to exceed traditional plans within the next few years.
However, the growth in MA plans has not been without controversy. The government watchdog Office of Inspector General accused MA plans earlier this year of delaying or denying services to beneficiaries covered under Medicare. Last month, the Senate Finance Committee released a report accusing MA plans of using fraud and bullying tactics to sign up seniors.
